What do Egypt people drink?
Drink. Tea is Egypt's national drink, while coffee is part of the traditional welcome. Karkadeh is a traditional drink made from boiling dried red hibiscus flowers, the water is then chilled. Sugar is added and this drink can also be enjoyed hot as herbal tea.
As Egypt is a majority Muslim country, many locals abstain from alcohol completely. However, it is possible to find liquor stores and bars in some upmarket neighborhoods, and many hotels and resorts serve alcohol.
In Egypt, drinking water from the tap is not recommended. Water treatment plants in and around Cairo heavily chlorinate the supply, so the water in the capital is relatively safe to drink. However, it is advisable everywhere else in Egypt to purchase bottled water or drink treated or purified water.
Egyptian laws towards alcohol are quite liberal compared with that of most Islamic countries, except for the month of Ramadan when alcohol is strictly forbidden and only holders of foreign passports are allowed to buy alcohol. The legal drinking age in Egypt is 21.
Egypt's proximity to the Asian mainland and African border allowed for the convenient introduction and accessibility of tea. In Egypt, tea is called "shai" and is known as the nation's superior beverage, even more so than coffee.
If you come across unpasteurized milk, do not consume it. It must be boiled first. Egypt is famous for some types of dairy products such as egyptian white cheese which is close to feta cheese but creamy and rumi cheese which is like aged cheddar cheese.
Meal in a cheap restaurant | 78 EGP (40-150) |
---|---|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | 30 EGP (20-75) |
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 50 EGP (30-100) |
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 5.90 EGP (5.00-15) |
Water (0.33 liter bottle) | 3.60 EGP (3.00-7.00) |
Smoking in Public
In Egypt, the tobacco control law prohibits smoking in the following specified public places: health and educational facilities, governmental venues, sporting and social clubs, and youth centers (though these rules are not usually followed ).
Boiled water is safe to drink so, assuming the coffee (and tea) is made from boiling water (as is normal), you'll have no problems.
4. Don't drink the tap water. Water is not properly filtered, It is also not advisable to brush your teeth with tap water in certain areas of Egypt, including Dahab. Buy bottled water and use that to brush your teeth.
Can I eat fruit in Egypt?
In Egypt, it is safe to eat fruit and vegetables, as long as the food has been washed correctly! You will find that any good hotel or cruise boat will wash them before cooking, so don't worry! Avoid eating in really cheap places or local outlets.
Despite most Egyptians being Muslims, alcohol is still available in Egypt. Most of the Egyptians don't consume alcohol, but some consume in other words it's not forbidden to drink alcohol in Egypt. Most of the hotels, restaurants and bars in the tourist areas are selling and serving alcoholic beverages.

Despite religious restrictions and conflicting views on alcohol after the Muslim conquest of Egypt, the consumption of beer did not cease, and it still remains the most popular alcoholic beverage in the country by far, accounting for 54 percent of all alcohol consumption.
It is a well known fact that Muslims don't drink alcohol. It is haraam, forbidden. They don't eat foods with ethanol, they don't wear perfumes containing alcoholic ingredients and they stay away from all forms of intoxicating substances . For most Muslims, alcohol is "haraam," or forbidden.
The Egyptian tea is a black tea served in tea bags in the glass or put directly in the glass without a bag. It is usually served with a lot of sugar, but you can ask it without “bdon sokkar,” or with “sokkar barra,” which means the sugar on the side. You can ask for it with mint (bel na'na' , or with milk (bel laben).
For alcoholic beverages, a maximum quantity of 1 litre is allowed. There is no minimum age for taking alcohol, cigarettes, cigars or tobacco with you, as long as you do not exceed the maximum quantity. Only a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use may be carried and a maximum of one litre of eau de cologne.
If you really want to make sure not to get sick, avoid street food, avoid salad bar, avoid fresh juice, avoid anything raw. Even in a 5 star hotel, the salad bar can be a risk --- for a host of reasons.
The coffee is boiled in water to which sugar has been added and can be arriha (sweet), mazboot (medium) or ziyada (very sweet). Sada (ie plain coffee) is traditionally consumed only at funerals - we must not forget that Egyptian coffee is quite strong and its sugar is quite suitable.
Egypt is famous for its strong, black and sweet tea. Most people use only Black Tea from Kenya, India or Sri Lanka. Tea is usually had without milk and a lot of sugar. Traditionally, only loose leaf tea was used, but nowadays, tea bags have also become quite popular due to their convenience.
The Egyptian diet was supplemented by fish, fowl and meat, although peasants probably enjoyed meat only on special occasions. Domesticated animals raised for food included pigs, sheep and goats. Grapes were processed into wine for the noble class, but beer was the favourite drink of the common people.
Is it safe to drink boiled water in Egypt?
In Egypt, tap water is not safe to drink. In most cases, it is best to use a reverse osmosis water faucet or a bottled water faucet. Drinking tap water that has been boiled is completely safe.
Travellers are not allowed to take any and all products into Egypt. Certain products, such as tobacco and alcohol, may only be imported in limited quantities. Restrictions also apply to the import of animals, food and perfume, among other things. Baggage is checked upon arrival at Egypt's airport.
This is the most important information when ordering at an Egyptian ahwa. While an ahwa might have a ton of different drinks, the one thing they are best at is what they are named after: coffee. Basically, what you need to know is this: you say “ahwa”, simply followed by the amount of sugar you want. It's that easy.
Egypt - Coca-Cola - price, June 2022 | |
---|---|
EGP | 5.380 |
USD | 0.275 |
EUR | 0.281 |
...
Cost of Living in Egypt.
Restaurants | Edit |
---|---|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) | 66.82EG£ |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) | 9.84EG£ |
Rice (white), (1 lb) | 6.88EG£ |
Eggs (regular) (12) | 27.97EG£ |
It's considered WAY cheaper than most European places, with rates for everything from hotels to food just a fraction they would be just a quick hop over the Med in, say, Cyprus or Greece. That said, not all of Egypt is created equal on the price front.
Egypt is conservative. Very conservative. You won't find couples cuddling and kissing in public, as any type of public affection is a big no-no (even handholding isn't really approved of).
In the tourist regions (like Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh), on the beach, or in the hotel it is totally acceptable to wear shorts. I'd recommend you to dress smartly anyway. In mosques, women are required to cover their shoulders & wear a veil, while men should be mostly covered as well.
Even more importantly, taking photos of military or police personnel, buildings and vehicles is strictly forbidden in Egypt. Don't visit mosques during prayer time. Unless you are a Muslim and are going to pray, wait until the prayer is over before venturing inside.
It is best to keep additional drinking water in your house at all times. In the kitchen it is best to boil water before cooking with it. Also, all produce needs to be properly washed. I recommend using a gallon of tap water with a table spoon of bleach.
What is considered rude in Egypt?
Basic Etiquette
It is considered impolite to point the toe, heel or any part of the foot toward another person. Showing the sole of one's shoe is also impolite. Modest dress and presentation is highly valued in Egyptian culture. Greetings often occur before any form of social interaction.
Tipping 10–15% of your bill total is customary at cafes and restaurants, and loose change is acceptable for food purchases from street vendors and markets. Often known as 'backsheesh' in parts of Asia and the Middle East, tipping is standard practice in Egypt.
Just remember to cover up from your shoulders to below the knee. While women are expected to dress more conservatively than men, even the fellas should leave the short shorts and tight singlets at home. Also, avoid packing anything in white.
Drinking water abroad
Filtered, bottled, boiled or chemically treated water should be used. Bottled fizzy drinks with an intact seal are usually safe, as are boiled water and hot drinks made with boiled water. Ice in drinks should be avoided.
Ful is the most common traditional breakfast and is pronounced as “fool”. Made of fava beans cooked with oil and salt it provides a filling and nutritious start to the day and often served with a boiled egg. The soaked beans are cooked for hours over low heat in an “idra” in order to remove the beans casing.
(CNN) — The cuisine of Egypt has always been underrated. Although seldom named among the great food cultures of the Mediterranean or Middle East, the flavors found along the Nile are just as tasty -- and often more intriguing -- than the traditional cooking of Lebanon, Turkey or Greece.
Egyptian cheese (Egyptian Arabic: جبنة gebna pronounced [ˈɡebnæ]) has a long history, and continues to be an important part of the Egyptian diet. There is evidence of cheese-making over 5,000 years ago in the time of the First Dynasty of Egypt.
Despite religious restrictions and conflicting views on alcohol after the Muslim conquest of Egypt, the consumption of beer did not cease, and it still remains the most popular alcoholic beverage in the country by far, accounting for 54 percent of all alcohol consumption.
1. Sugarcane Juice. Egyptian Aseer Asab Or sugarcane juice is a popular drink in Egypt. Egyptian people are known for their love of sweet treat and this drink is sold everywhere in the streets in special fresh-juice shops.
However, the dominant belief in Islam is that, not only is the consumption of alcohol in any of its forms forbidden, but Muslims should avoid even indirect association with alcohol.
What beverages did ancient Egyptians drink?
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN DRINKS: BEER, WINE, MILK AND WATER.
If you come across unpasteurized milk, do not consume it. It must be boiled first. Egypt is famous for some types of dairy products such as egyptian white cheese which is close to feta cheese but creamy and rumi cheese which is like aged cheddar cheese.
Meal in a cheap restaurant | 78 EGP (40-150) |
---|---|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | 30 EGP (20-75) |
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 50 EGP (30-100) |
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 5.90 EGP (5.00-15) |
Water (0.33 liter bottle) | 3.60 EGP (3.00-7.00) |
Smoking in Public
In Egypt, the tobacco control law prohibits smoking in the following specified public places: health and educational facilities, governmental venues, sporting and social clubs, and youth centers (though these rules are not usually followed ).
Brewer | ||
---|---|---|
1 | Luxor Weizen | Egyptian International Beverages Co. |
2 | Sakara Weizen | Al Ahram (Heineken) |
3 | Luxor Nubia | Egyptian International Beverages Co. |
4 | Sakara El-King 15% | Al Ahram (Heineken) |
Egypt, although only a very minor wine-producing nation today, is home to some of the oldest winemaking traditions on Earth. Archaeological finds, including ceremonial tomb paintings, have shown that wine was produced in Egypt as far back as the third millennium B.C.
Examples of Egyptian dishes include rice-stuffed vegetables and grape leaves, hummus, falafel, shawarma, kebab and kofta. ful medames, mashed fava beans; kushari, lentils and pasta; and molokhiya, bush okra stew.
Traditionally, dogs are considered haram, or forbidden, in Islam as they are thought of as dirty. But while conservatives advocate complete avoidance, moderates simply say Muslims should not touch the animal's mucous membranes — such as the nose or mouth — which are considered especially impure.
Islamic scholars, issued separate rulings that were unanimous in their disapproval of tobacco smoking, making it clear that it is forbidden on grounds of its being foul.
Because of the prohibition on premarital sex, older Muslims often frown upon any visible interaction between unmarried young people, no matter how innocent. This can sometimes lead to assumptions that two individuals of the opposite sex who are just hanging out have an inappropriate premarital relationship.
Does Egypt make beer?
Egyptian beer, therefore, is most often cited as the 'first beer' in the world because it has more in common with the modern-day brew than the Mesopotamian recipe, even though few modern-day beer enthusiasts would recognize the ancient brew as their favorite drink.
By the 15th century, coffee was being grown in the Yemeni district of Arabia and by the 16th century it was known in Persia, Egypt, Syria, and Turkey. Coffee was not only enjoyed in homes, but also in the many public coffee houses — called qahveh khaneh — which began to appear in cities across the Near East.
The culture
Then: In ancient Egypt, beer was so essential it was treated principally as a type of food – it was consumed daily and in great quantities at religious festivals and celebrations.