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With temperatures soaring during the day, drinking enough fluids and water is essential this Ramadan. To cope with the long hours of fasting and the loss of liquids from their bodies, most Muslims love to break their fast with beverages made from tamarind, hibiscus drink (bissap/sobolo) and eat a lot of dates.

Medical experts say during the period of Ramadan when fasting lasts from sunrise to sunset, the body can develop mild health problems such as headaches, low blood sugar and lethargy.

After almost 16 hours of fasting in this hot weather and the Maghreb Azan (that is the sunset calling for prayer) when Muslims are permitted to break their fasting day, everybody rushes for water. One of the amazing drinks that is highly recommended in Ramadan is the sweet tamarind drink (Lamugin). It is sweet, tangy, tart and very refreshing.

It is often made with tamarinds and also contains high levels of tartaric acid, just as citrus fruits contain citric acid, providing not just a zing to the taste buds but evidence of powerful antioxidant action zapping harmful free radicals floating through your system.

‘Zoomkoom’ is a fermented millet beverage with a sweet and spicy taste

Bisap/sobolo’ is a drink made out of the flowers of the Roselle plant, a variety of Hibiscus

Dates are one of the fruits which are in high demand across the world during Ramadan. Breaking the fast with dates has always been a Ramadan tradition.

At the end of the month of Ramadan, the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast, called the Eid al-Fitr, is held. During this celebration, it is common for families to host a feast for family and relatives, in which dates are very popular, along with other foods such as honey, bread, figs, fruits and olives.

 Masa is a traditional food which can be made with rice, corn or millet

Pinkaso’ is a light crunchy, spiced, fried flour dumpling that goes with Hausa koko

At this time, in the Muslim-dominated communities such Nima, Maamobi, Accra New Town, Sukura, Cowlane, Tudu, Kanda and Madina, business is booming as most people patronise delicacies such as dates, tamarinds, Maasa, Koose, Pinkaso, Burkina, Naakiri, Lamugin, Fura and Waagasi when they break their fast.

Fura’ is a spice-infused millet dough balls which is served and eaten like a beverage

After the drinks and snacks, some opt for heavy meals such as Tuo Zaafi, Omo Tuo, Tubani, Alele, Waakye among others.

‘Tubani’ is made with steamed black-eyed beans

‘Tuo Zaafi’ and ‘Ayoyo’ soup is the toast of many