São Paulo – After a 39-year career, the Algerian diplomat Abdelhamid Rahmani decided to settle down in Brasília, the city he was last stationed in, and opened Louzia Doceria Fina, a pastry shop specializing in treats from his native country.
After serving a five-year stint as minister counselor to the Algerian embassy in Brasília, Rahmani returned to the Arab nation to file for his retirement, but then returned to the Brazilian capital to complete the thesis for a doctorate from France’s University of Toulouse, on the contribution of Brazilian foreign policy to the consolidation of the South American integration process since 1991 until today.
“Many Brazilian friends who had a chance to sample Algerian cuisine during my time as a diplomat urged me to set up an Algerian pastry shop in Brasília, in the lack of an Algerian restaurant, to offer the local gourmets and other residents the opportunity to taste these marvels that only Algerians can cook up,” Rahmani said.
As a means of complementing his retirement income, the former diplomat gathered his savings, went ahead and opened his outlet in January this year. The first few months were tough because of the summer break, the Carnival holiday and year-end recess in Brasília’s political institutions, but from March on things begin picking up steam.
Rahmani created profiles for the shop on social media and the Tripadvisor website, and in no time, user ratings earned him a spot among the best places to eat in Brasília. “Out of curiosity, a lot of people came,” he said.
Although Arab pastries are well-known, the treats he makes and sells are typically Algerian, and unlike what people are used to. “There are no sweets like these anywhere in the world except Algeria,” he boasted.
The products are made from almonds, pistachio, nuts, vanilla, honey and orange flower water, traditionally eaten on festive occasions such as weddings, birthdays and Ramadan, the Muslim calendar month when believers fast from dawn to sunset, but often get together to celebrate at night. “These are noble, costly ingredients, but we charge small prices [for the pastries],” noted the diplomat-turned-entrepreneur.
The recipes are from Rahmani’s wife, who’s held a Culinary degree since 1986 and cooks pastry for friends and family. This is why the shop’s logo says “since 1986,” but the actual business has only existed since the beginning of this year.
Even though his wife is responsible for the treats, the shop wasn’t dubbed Louzia after her, since her name is Nassima. “That’s a question everyone asks me,” Rahmani said. He explains: “Louz” is the French transliteration of the Arabic word for “almond,” and in Algeria, “louzia” designates almond-based sweets.
Besides the previously unknown recipes and noble ingredients, Rahmani highlights another feature of his products: low sugar content. According to him, only 300 grams of sugar are added for each kilogram of almonds, pistachios or nuts. “And you can store them at home at room temperature or in the fridge for up to two weeks, maybe more, without compromising flavor and quality,” he guaranteed.
Besides the pastries, Louzia serves savory items and accepts orders for Algerian dishes, especially ones based around couscous, the steam-cooked semolina so appreciated throughout the Maghreb countries.
The former diplomat believes his business will thrive. “We have hopes, because our customers are pleased,” he said. So much so that more ambitious plans are already in place. “I intend to bring two or three certified chefs over from Algeria to help me fulfill the orders, which are ever more numerous,” he wrapped up.
Louzia Doceria Fina
Address: SHIS, QI 13, Bloco A, loja 45, Lago Sul, Brasília-DF, CEP: 71635-160
Tel.: (+55 61) 3710-1953
Tripadvisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com.br/Restaurant_Review-g303322-d7742830-Reviews-Louzia-Brasilia_Federal_District.html#REVIEWS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Louzia-Doceria-Fina/1537858973137303?sk=timeline
Instagram: @louzia_doces
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
