Emirati cuisine

Culinary traditions of the United Arab Emirates

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Luqaimat (lugaimat in Emirati dialect), a traditional Emirati dessert, served with Arabic coffee. [1]

Emirati cuisine is the local traditional Arabic cuisine of the United Arab Emirates. The origins of Emirati cuisine come from the Bedouins who roamed the country. It is part of Eastern Arabian cuisine and shares similarities with cuisines from neighboring countries, such as Omani cuisine and Saudi Arabian cuisine, as well as influences from different Middle Eastern and Asian cuisines.

As a major international hub, the United Arab Emirates today has a multicultural variety of cuisines from different parts of the world.

## History

[edit]

### Origins

[edit]

See also: History of the United Arab Emirates

Cultivation of date palms in the area can be traced back to the mid-third millennium BC (commonly referred to as the Umm al-Nar period in the United Arab Emirates) from which many date seeds have been found in Umm al-Nar sites. The presence of grinding stones and fired clay ovens in archaeological sites indicate that grain processing was also performed. Studies of human dental remains dating back to the third millennium show a high level of attrition which is believed to result from the mastication of dry bread.[2]

### Modern historical history

[edit]

The cuisine which originated in the area that is now the United Arab Emirates and was previously the Trucial States is formed by a similar Arabic and Middle Eastern cuisine which is consumed in the wider Arabian Peninsula. The food is a mixture of a Bedouin diet, consisting of meat and camel milk, a fisherman's diet, consisting mainly of fish common in the Persian Gulf, and a farmer's diet, consisting mainly of dates. A blend of these diets as well as a mixture of spices such as cinnamon, saffron, and turmeric formed the basis of the common dishes consumed in the Trucial states region and the current traditional Emirati cuisine.[3]

The traditional food of the United Arab Emirates uses much meat, grain, and dairy. Vegetables that are easy to grow in fertile soil, such as cucumbers and tomatoes, are strongly featured in the diet. Mangos are also grown, usually in the northern emirates in villages such as Masafi. Meats traditionally used are chicken or small fowl, such as Houbara bustards, and goats. As camels are highly prized for their milk and transporting ability, the eating of camel meat is normally reserved for special occasions.

The dishes are usually like stews, as everything is often cooked in a single pot. Saffron, cardamom, turmeric, and thyme are the core flavors used in Emirati cookery. Rice was added to the diet when traders moved to the region.[when?] Leaves from indigenous trees, such as the ghaff, were also used to stuff small birds for enhanced flavor.

Traditional dishes include maq'louba, harees, machbous, frsee'ah, fireed, jisheid, and mishwy. Breakfast in the UAE usually features breads like raqaq, khameer, and chebab, served with cheese, date syrup, or eggs. These were made over a curved hot plate, resembling a stone, which would have been used by the Bedouins. Balaleat is another dish, but its advent began with the traders, who introduced pasta.

Sweet options include luqeymat, a deep-fried ball of pancake batter that is rolled in sesame seeds and then drizzled with date honey. Other desserts include khabeesa, bread crumbs blended with sugar, cardamom, and saffron, or bethitha, semolina blended with crushed dates, cardamom, and clarified butter.

At the close of the meal, it is usual to serve a red tea infused with mint as a digestive. Other mealtime traditions include a welcome with dates and gahwah (Arabic coffee), which are offered on arrival and are kept available throughout the guest's visit.

## Foods and dishes

[edit]

Further information: Eastern Arabian cuisine

Kuboos (flatbread) being prepared in Abu Dhabi

Seafood has been the mainstay of the Emirati diet for centuries."24-year-old Emirati fish seller vows to preserve ancestral occupation". www.gulftoday.ae. Retrieved 2021-07-28. The United Arab Emirates cuisine is a reflection of an Arabian heritage and exposure to other civilizations over time. As the consumption of pork is forbidden under Muslim law, it is not included in most menus. Hotels frequently have pork substitutes such as beef, chicken, sausage, and veal rashers on their breakfast menus. If pork is available, it is clearly labelled as such.

Meat, fish, and rice are the staple foods of Emirati cuisine. Lamb and mutton are the more favored meats rather than goat, beef, and camel meat. Dates are usually consumed with meals.

Popular beverages are coffee and tea, which can be supplemented with cardamom, saffron, or mint to give it a distinct flavor.UAEinteract.com. "UAE Travel& Tourism: Food & Drink". UAEinteract. Archived from the original on 2018-01-31. Retrieved 2009-07-15.

Alcohol is generally only served in hotel restaurants and bars (but not in Sharjah). All nightclubs and golf clubs are permitted to sell alcohol. Specific supermarkets may sell pork in a separate section of the market."Alcohol and Pork Licenses - Allo' Expat Abu Dhabi". Alloexpat.com. 2009-05-30. Archived from the original on 2009-08-05. Retrieved 2009-07-15.

Traditional UAE Cooking

Discover the Tastes of UAE's Old Foods Emirati cuisine reflects a mix of Arabian, Persian, Indian, and African influences, highlighting the UAE’s role in historic trade routes. Traditional meals emphasize rice, meat, fish, dates, and spices like saffron, cardamom, and turmeric."Discover the Tastes of UAE's Old Foods". Prestige Fleet. January 2025.

Dishes forming part of the Emirati cuisine include:"Welcome to Abu Dhabi - Emirati Cuisine". Visitabudhabi.ae. 2009-07-01. Archived from the original on 2009-08-04. Retrieved 2009-07-15."10 Emirati delicacies you just can't miss while travelling to UAE". Khaleej Times. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2020."Authentic Emirati Luqaimat in UAE". LOQA UAE. 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.

Asida

Chebab bread

Balaleet

Bathieth

Harees

Jami

Jesheed"A taste of Emirati cuisine". gulfnews.com. 26 November 2011. Retrieved 2020-04-24.

Kabsa

Khabees

Khanfroush

Khamir bread

MachboosEmaratilicious - (18 October 2016). "خبز الجباب الإماراتي Emarati pancakes chubab" - via YouTube.

Madroob

Margouga

Maqluba

Muhala bread

Ghouzi

Salona

Tharid

Waggafi bread

Biryani "Emirati Cuisine | Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe | UAE". Al Fanar Restaurant. Retrieved 2024-05-29.

Dango

Bajella

Luqaimat

## Beverages

[edit]

Traditional Arabic tea in the UAE

* Camel milk
* Soft drinks
* Tea
* Water
* Juice
* Laban
* Arabic coffee
* Arabic tea

## Events

[edit]

### Dubai Food Festival

[edit]

The inaugural Dubai Food Festival was held from 21 February to 15 March 2014.[4] According to Vision the event was aimed at enhancing and celebrating Dubai's position as the gastronomic capital of the region. The festival was designed to showcase the variety of flavours and cuisines on offer in Dubai featuring the cuisines of over 200 nationalities at the festival.[5]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Emirati Cuisine | Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe | UAE". Al Fanar Restaurant. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
2. ^ Gosden, Chris; Hather, Jon G. (14 January 2004). The Prehistory of Food: Appetites for Change. Routledge. pp. 85–86\. ISBN 978-0415117654.85-86&rft.pub=Routledge&rft.date=2004-01-14&rft.isbn=978-0415117654&rft.aulast=Gosden&rft.aufirst=Chris&rft.au=Hather,+Jon+G.&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Emirati+cuisine" class="Z3988">
3. ^ Dubai Complete Residents' Guide. Explorer Publishing. 30 November 2006. p. 29\. ISBN 9768182768.
4. ^ "Dubai Food Festival". Dubai Food Festival. Archived from the original on 15 November 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
5. ^ East, Ben (February 2014). "Taste of culture: Dubai Food Festival". Vision.ae. Archived from the original on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2014.

## External links

[edit]

* Emirati Cuisine Archived 2015-02-04 at the Wayback Machine. Cultures.ae.

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