Sobia is drink of choice in Ramadan

“I will really miss drinking sobia now that Ramadan is coming to an end.”
This was the lament from Hassan Al-Amoudi, a local resident, here recently. “It is the main drink at the dinner table during Ramadan at our house. I usually drink it as soon as I hear the call for prayer.”
Al-Amoudi typically buys between four and five large bags of sobia for his family of eight, many of whom are addicted to the drink in Ramadan. “Sobia has a lot of health benefits,” he said.
"For example it helps relax and calm the nerves, and is considered one of the main traditions for many during this blessed month.”
Khaled Al-Khodr, who has been selling sobia for more than 20 years, said he usually prepares it at home with the help of his wife and daughter right after Dhuhr prayer.
The drink is prepared inside large containers and sold starting after Asr prayer. “On average, I usually sell between 100 and 150 bags a day, which can sometimes increase to 200 bags toward the end of Ramadan.” He said one bag costs SR8, depending on the type.
Meanwhile, the municipality has cracked down on those preparing the drink without licenses. Inspectors from the municipality in Al-Jamaa’ Al-Far’iya discovered people without work permits who had prepared 1,000 bags and 28 large barrels of the drink.
Hassan Ghoneim, head of the municipality, said: “Inspectors found quantities that were clearly rotten, while the location itself did not comply with basic health and hygiene standards. The workers lacked personal hygiene and were working without any health or legal papers.”
Ghoneim said officials closed the site and destroyed the quantities found. The inspectors would continue monitoring the site to ensure it is not reopened. They also recorded electricity meter numbers so that they could cut off power to the owners if they do not comply with health and other regulations.
The municipality called on residents to be cautious about confronting violators, and to immediately report any crimes by calling 940, or making online contact.