On every street corner in Egypt, you will find a cart selling fava bean and falafel sandwiches for all Egyptians. These sandwiches have always been daily source of nutrition for many Egyptians and have come to symbolize not only Egypt’s breakfast culture, but also the national identity. Many Egyptians associate their sense of being Egyptian with their daily fava bean sandwich. One Egyptian once joked that the annual expenditure on food subsidies likely exceeds the annual profits from the Suez Canal, highlighting the significant cultural impact of this simple breakfast meal. Abu Hamza’s day begins at 4 AM sharp, even on Fridays when the city is typically quiet. He endures the sweltering heat in August as he sells fava bean sandwiches and potatoes until midday at the Fifth Settlement, which is lengthy drive from his own home in Old Cairo. With dwindling customers and shrinking purchase amounts, Hamza reveals the harsh impact of rising prices. “People used to buy multiple sandwiches at a lower price, like around 20 EGP (USD 0.41),” he explains, “but now they can only afford two for 30 EGP (USD 0.61).” The rising cost of living…
