Exciting news for households, restaurants, and eateries across the UAE. Onions, a vital ingredient in countless dishes, are set to become more affordable. Thanks to India’s decision to abolish export duties on onions — its most significant export — this essential kitchen staple will soon be more accessible, making it easier for everyone to enjoy their favourite dishes at a lower cost.

The announcement, made yesterday (March 25 )by India’s Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is expected to bring down onion prices across the GCC, including in the UAE, as well as in Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.

For months, high export duties — peaking at 40% before being reduced to 20% — had kept onion prices inflated. But with this duty now completely removed, experts predict a significant drop in onion prices, making them more affordable for shoppers across the region.

India, known as the world’s onion powerhouse, is the primary supplier to the Gulf states, where the vegetable is a must-have ingredient in countless dishes. Other major exporters include Pakistan, China, and Egypt, but Indian onions have long dominated the market due to their quality and availability.

Good News for Farmers Too!

While UAE consumers will benefit from lower prices, Indian farmers are also celebrating. The removal of export duties will allow them to sell onions at higher prices globally, boosting their income.

This move is part of India’s broader strategy to ease export restrictions on staple food items, which were previously imposed to control domestic inflation. The Indian government is now progressively revising these policies to support both farmers and international trade.

With onion prices expected to drop in UAE supermarkets in the coming weeks, shoppers can look forward to bigger savings on their grocery bills.

(Source: Wam)

Dubai’s Raju Omlet eatery turned into a cricket fan’s paradise when Team India skipper Rohit Sharma and star spinner Kuldeep Yadav dropped by for a pre-match feast ahead of the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan ICC Champions Trophy clash.

A viral video (on www.instagram.com/rajuomlet) has sent social media into a frenzy, showing the Team India duo digging into their meal at the famous street food joint. As soon as word spread, fans mobbed the eatery, desperate to catch a glimpse of the cricketing superstars. 

Some even tried their luck at getting a selfie with Rohit Sharma, who had to wade through a sea of people just to exit the spot.

“And there he is… the Hitman… savouring a champion’s feast! Rohit Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav at Raju Omlet – now that’s an egg-ceptional sight,” read the caption on the viral clip.

The frenzy around the eatery only adds to the overall excitement in Dubai, as fans flock to places where they can catch a glimpse of their heroes.

Cricketers and their love for food

Rohit and Kuldeep aren’t the only foodies in Team India. Virat Kohli, known for his love of North Indian cuisine, was recently seen indulging in local delicacies after his training session in Dubai. His favourite dish is is Chole Bhature. Rishabh Pant swears by Indian food for his recovery. He loves moong dal khichdi made with pumpkin and bottle gourd. Hardik Pandya used to be a meat lover but later switched to a vegetarian diet due to health concerns. KL Rahul loves pasta as Jasprit Bumrah can’t do without a plate of Dhokla.

From eggs to ‘eggcellence’: The story of Raju Omlet’s journey

Long before Raju Omlet became a must-visit spot for cricket stars like Rohit Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav, it was just a humble street cart in Karelibaug in Vadodara, Gujarat run Rajesh Rana, aka Raju Bhai.

Back in 1984, juggling a day job at a printing press, Raju Bhai would set up his cart to dish out simple omelettes and bhurji (scrambled eggs). What started as a side hustle soon became a full-time calling for him. Fast forward to today, and Raju Omlet has grown into a massive food brand, known for its innovative egg dishes.

From Vadodara’s street corners to Dubai’s food scene, and now host to cricket’s biggest names, Raju Omlet is a story of passion and a whole lot of eggs.

(Source: HT, Raju Omlet)

Why limit International Coffee Day celebrations to just one day? The Brew Crew believes every day can be a celebration of brewing up special treats for coffee lovers, which is why the cafe located in Dubai Investment Park (DIP) 2, Dubai, is now delivering unique coffee experiences in a can. In their continuous quest to enhance customer experience, they’ve worked on elevating their delivery menu with new signature offerings — Nitro Coffee and unique Nitro Infused beverages — all in a can and dine-in too. Isn’t that exciting?

Once the coffee grounds are steeped in water (room temperature) for about 16-18 hours — the slow extraction process makes the cold brew, which is more intense than a regular drip coffee. Cold Brew is literally a concentrated coffee drink. And, what’s Nitro Brew? Nitro Brew is a cold-brewed coffee infused with nitrogen gas. So, whether you prefer the subtly sweet, creamy body, and smooth finish of a

Nitro Brew, or the mellow, smooth, and mild acidity of the Cold Brew, The Brew Crew has a brew for everyone. Both the beverages are priced at Dh15, 300ml. The other Infused beverages are complex in preparation, but the taste profile is tropical, sporty, and fizzy. The Nitro allows the drinks to be more full-bodied and memorable.

“We realised that the options for Dubai coffee aficionados to experience Cold and Nitro brews were limited, so we decided to add them to the menu. Similarly, we also wanted to provide a product for non-coffee drinkers in the UAE. And of course, we didn’t want to restrict it to only as a dine-in option, so here we are offering the brew in a can for a takeaway or delivery,” said Ashjeet, Founder, The Brew Crew.

The cafe is also home to a temperature and humidity-controlled facility, which includes a nouvelle Brew Bar in action, a Roasting Training Campus, and a Green Coffee Storage, which is where the magic happens. The Brew Crew is renowned for its commitment to delivering a unique coffee experience and opened its doors to coffee aficionados in September 2023. The caféopens its doors at 9 am and serves until 6 pm, Monday through Saturday. At the location, you can indulge in various other roasted favourites, other than, of course, ordering the Cold Brew and Nitro Brew, whenever you please.

Order now:

Coffee on Tap -> All in a Can. Priced at Dh15, 300ml.