Back in late March, a Twitter user named Vani posted an image of a bottle of Rooh Afza and wrote, "There's something wrong with you if you like this drink."
Her tweet sparked a debate over Rooh Afza, garnering thousands of reactions and retweets. While some agreed with Vani, others opposed the statement vehemently. Loved or loathed, Rooh Afza has a special place in the memory of many Bangladeshis, having made a 100-year journey to become a must-have item for iftar.
The red bottle of Rooh Afza comes as the harbinger of Ramadan. As the holy month approaches, this popular syrup hits the shelves of grocery stores, pharmacies, and supershops, particularly in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Amirul Momening Manik, director of Information and Public Relations at Hamdard Bangladesh, describes it as: "Rooh Afza is not just a drink, it's an emotion."
During Ramadan, Rooh Afza is widely consumed, as many believe it provides energy and helps people stay hydrated during the day-long fast. The drink is also a popular choice during hot summer months and is enjoyed in various forms, including Sharbat-e-Mohabbat, ice cream, and faluda.
However, despite its popularity, the market for Rooh Afza has slightly shrunk in recent times.
"The declining sales can be attributed to several reasons," said Manik. "Firstly, the price of sugar has increased, which has led to a rise in Rooh Afza's price. Secondly, Rooh Afza is not an instant drink, and no small sachet is available, which affects its consumption rate. Finally, people's lifestyles have changed, and they tend to have Iftar outside more than at home, which has also affected sales."
