Qatir (syrup)

Qatir, or attar (Arabic: قَطْر) is a type of sweet syrup used in the preparation of Middle Eastern desserts.^[4][1] It is made of primarily sugar and water,^[4] and is reduced slightly until somewhat golden and thicker. It is sometimes accented by steeping additional flavorings such as lemon juice, rose water or oil, or attar (a rose-hinted plant of similar name). It is an essential addition to many Arabic or Levantine desserts, and is added cold or at room temperature to a hot dessert after it is baked.^[5][6]

Qatir/Attar
قَطْر

Attar with rose water and orange flower water.
Alternative names	Qattar / Qatr[1] / Attar[2] /Shħūr / Sheera[3]
Type	Syrup
Main ingredients	Sugar, water

Name

Qatir is also referred to as sheera (Arabic: شيرة),^[3][7] or as sharbat (sometimes sherbet) (Arabic: شربات) in Egyptian Arabic.^{[8][9][10][11]}

Ingredients and Preparation

Qatir is usually prepared by boiling sugar in water, lemon juice^[4] is added to prevent sugar from crystalizing, lemon juice can accelerate breaking down sucrose into fructose and glucose.^[6][12]

The syrup is ordinarily scented with rose water or orange flower water, the exact ingredients and quantities may vary depending on the dish the qatir was made for.^[6]

Some recipes may call for different sweeteners, such as honey as a "healthier" option.^[13]

Usage

Qatir is used in a wide array of desserts, including but not limited to knafeh,^[14] baklava,^[15] qatayef,^[1] mutabbaq, and harisseh,^[2] it can be used hot or cold, and the desserts it can be added to can be hot or cold. The syrup may also be added while still boiling to some desserts, or be used when cold as a dip for some others. Qatir can be stored in a refrigerator for an extended period of time.^[16][17][18]

Arab cooks often forgo baking with sugar directly in the desserts and instead add sweetness by drizzling qatir onto the dessert after it is cooked, or even drenching it in qatir.^[19]

Gallery

• 
  Qatir is poured over Knafeh.
• 
  Lokma or awameh pieces are dipped in qatir. ^[20]
• 
  Qatir with a honey-like consistency is drizzled over Halawet el Jibn