Ali Saeed Al-Qobati, the most famous dessert maker in Yemen, died in May,  leaving his successful business behind. His shops are located in Al-Raheda and Khadeer, two districts in Taiz, south of Sana’a, on the main road between Aden and Taiz.

For about 75 years, he lived in Al-Raheda, bringing fame to the area on account of his delicious sweets and desserts.

Travelers who take the Aden-Taiz road often bring their relatives desserts from Al-Qobati.

His desserts are popular among Yemenis, even those living abroad, particularly in the gulf countries and in Europe.

Many often ask their relatives in Yemen to send them desserts made by Al-Qobati or bring them back with them if they visit.

Al-Qobati was 99.

He left behind 62 grandchildren, working in his 18 dessert shops.

Al-Qobati’s sons said their father died following May 19 stroke.

“Al-Qobati had lived in Al-Raheda for more than 70 years and never moved to another area,” Mohammed Al-Qubati, a resident of Al-Raheada, said. “All his life he had been making the most delicious desserts in Yemen. He had 18 dessert shops in Al-Raheda.”

“Al-Qobati was a very famous dessert maker in Yemen and the gulf,” one of his employees said.

The seed of business

Seven decades ago, Al-Qobati started making desserts in a small shop in Al-Raheda. He quickly gained fame for his desserts, later  opening additional stores in the area.

Members of the Al-Qobita Dessert Makers Society said dessert-making is a practical way to create job opportunities and to help Yemenis combat poverty.

Khaled Al-Qobati, a resident in Al-Raheda, said Yemeni desserts are competing in international marketplaces and becoming more famous by the day.

Bassam, a dessert shopkeeper, said Yemenis lost a wonderful person in the passing of Al-Qobati, whom he attributed many of Yemen’s desserts to, as well as passing on the knowledge of how to make them.

The most famous brand of desserts

Al-Qobati sells many different kinds of deserts, including Hareesa, Araisi, Khalta and Sori. Though several shopkeepers named their shops Al-Qobati, after Ali Saeed Al-Qobati’s shops, few achieved the acclaim he himself earned.