If your summer in the UAE starts with a familiar taste, you probably know Rutab well; the fresh and semi-ripe date that appears on dining tables during its season and is shared among family and friends.

But this summer, Rutab is no longer just in the fruit bowl.

UAE cafes are bringing this traditional fruit into the world of beverages and desserts; from matcha and lattes to cold coffee, coconut water, and ice cream.

At Como Lounge, the seasonal Rutab menu includes Rutab Matcha, Rutab Latte, and coconut water with Rutab. The idea of this cafe is to combine today's popular drinks with one of the most recognized local food ingredients of the UAE, without compromising the flavor of Rutab itself.

Rutab Matcha has also become one of the popular options on this menu; the natural sweetness of Rutab pairs with the earthy and bitter taste of matcha.

In Al Ain, where Rutab is closely linked to farms, culture, and summer, Archive Eatery has also embraced this flavor. This establishment has added Rutab ice cream, Rutab Matcha, and Rutab Dirty Espresso to its menu; combinations that aim to present a familiar taste in completely modern forms.

The appeal of this trend is not just the sweet and caramel flavor of Rutab. Its short season makes its arrival each year something to look forward to, and on the other hand, this fruit is intertwined with memories, family, and summer for many people in the UAE.

For this reason, Rutab on modern cafe menus seems more than just a food trend; it is an old flavor that is being seen in a new light.

This phenomenon is also part of a larger change in the UAE's food scene: local ingredients are no longer only found in traditional dishes and have now made their way into cafe menus, desserts, and trending beverages.

So if you’ve ordered a cool matcha, ice cream, or a different coffee these days and it has a sweet and caramel flavor, you might be facing one of the most familiar tastes of summer in the UAE: Rutab.
Source: Gulf News