The Qur'an forbids alcohol consumption, which is why non-Islamic countries produce and export alcohol.

Religion has impacted the cuisine by making lamb the primary meat since both Jews and Muslims do not eat pork. The region was also influenced by dumplings from Mongol invaders turmeric and other spices from India cloves, peppercorns and allspice from the Spice Islands okra from Africa, and tomatoes from the New World. Figs, dates and nuts were brought by merchants to conquered lands, and spices were brought from the Orient. 550–330 BCE), the foundation was laid for modern Middle-Eastern food when rice, poultry and fruits were incorporated into the local diet. Additionally, the earliest written recipes come from that region.Īs a crossroad between Europe, Africa, and Asia, it has been a hub of food and recipe exchange. Fermentation was also discovered there, in order to leaven bread and make beer in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. The domestication of sheep, goats and cattle took place in the region as well. The Middle East incorporates the Fertile Crescent, including Mesopotamia ( Sumer, Akkad, Assyria and Babylonia) where wheat was first cultivated, followed by rye, barley, lentils, beans, pistachios, figs, pomegranates, dates and other regional staples. History and influences The Turkish Doner kebab However, Middle Eastern cuisine includes dishes from Arab, Armenian, Assyrian, Azerbaijani, Cypriot, Georgian, Iranian, Israeli, Kurdish, Levantine, and Turkish cultures. Currently, the countries that are considered to comprise the Middle East are: Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Palestine, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and sometimes Afghanistan and Pakistan. The exact countries considered to be part of the Middle East are difficult to determine as the definition has changed over time and from source to source. Geography Core countries considered to be part of the Middle East Common ingredients include olives and olive oil, pitas, honey, sesame seeds, dates, sumac, chickpeas, mint, rice and parsley, and popular dishes include kebabs, dolmas, falafel, baklava, yogurt, doner kebab, shawarma and mulukhiyah. Middle Eastern cuisine or West Asian cuisine includes Arab, Armenian, Assyrian, Azerbaijani, Cypriot, Egyptian, Georgian, Iranian, Iraqi, Israeli/ Jewish, Kurdish, Lebanese, Palestinian and Turkish cuisines. Serving in Jerusalem restaurant including falafel, hummus, and salad JSTOR ( October 2009) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message).Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.įind sources: 'Middle Eastern cuisine' – news Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. This article needs additional citations for verification.

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