JEDDAH: As part of my preparations for Eid, I had hoped to set aside time to make maamoul at home. However, as a working mother, that proved difficult. I began asking friends for recommendations that offered homemade-quality maamoul with authentic flavor and texture.
Almaamoul quickly emerged as one of the top choices. Although the establishment is based in Makkah, deliveries are made to Jeddah. The brand is well known among Makkah and Jeddah families for its maamoul mangoosh — hand-decorated maamoul carefully shaped and patterned using traditional tools — and its ghoribah and tamriyah.
I sampled all three. The date filling was well spiced, fresh and chewy, while the maamoul itself was melt-in-the-mouth soft. It paired perfectly with Saudi coffee and was well received by guests.
The tamriyah, a layered dessert made with a base of maamoul dough and date paste topped with grated maamoul dough, resembled a date pie and offered a delicate, biscuit-like texture. It paired beautifully with black tea.
The almond ghoribah was equally good, soft, fresh and crumbly, complementing a cup of Turkish coffee.
Prepared by Fatimah Kutbi, Almaamoul’s products are homemade in style and smaller in size than commercially available maamoul, and with less sugar.
The date filling has a distinctive flavor, richly spiced rather than simply sweet. It holds together when bitten, maintaining structure while remaining soft and visually appealing.
Available year-round, with increased production during Ramadan and Eid, Almaamoul also offers tatima, a traditional assortment-style breakfast spread.
It is prepared by Kutbi’s mother, Eman Hafiz, and served in a handcrafted straw tray featuring seven jars of warmth and love. It includes Hijazi mixed cheeses, spreads, pickles and jams.
The organic strawberry jam stood out as it was balanced in sweetness, naturally vibrant in color and free from artificial additives. Paired with unsalted butter and fresh baguette, it created a simple yet memorable bite.
For more information, visit the establishment’s Instagram page @almaamoul.
