Rahala

When searching for a truly enticing diet, you couldn’t get better than the Lebanese food found in Beirut. With an exotic diet composed of an unimaginable variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, there is something to meet any taste. When you are considering a menu in Beirut, never skip the dessert selections. They offer some of the most delectable delights you are likely to taste anywhere around the world. You may even want to consider Arak, they liquor of choice in Beirut.

The Mezze of Beirut

The typical Beirut diet can be found in the Mezze. This is a group of up to thirty hot and cold dishes that have made Lebanese food diet well known across the world. A typical Mezze can be as simple as a salad, soup, and bread or it can be an all out feast with many choices and flavors. The foods included in the Mezze, are know to be some of the healthiest dishes to be found in Lebanese food. In Beirut, the Mezze is known to include local favorites like Tabboule and Fattouch, included with the caviars. The main purpose of a Mezze is to offer contrasting dishes with a variety of tastes, smells and flavors for the palate. In Lebanese food it is often tradition to use flat pita bread instead of a fork. There is also a great diversity of family cuisine available. These dishes are usually stews or soups served with bread, and sides of rice or meats.

Lebanese Food: Variety is the Spice of Life

While most of Lebanese Food is considered as health food, there are still a few items to be had when looking for that cheating snack. Lebanese food has a variety of ice cream flavors. Some flavors found in Beirut would not be considered traditional. In Beirut, you will also find a variety of drinks to enjoy. Lebanese food includes drinks like Arak and Lebanese wine, which are becoming popular across the world. However, if thinking about Lebanese food culture in Beirut, you must not overlook coffee. Coffee is considered to be a luxury to be shared in Beirut. It is not uncommon to visit a neighbor and be required to stay for at least one cup. In homes, coffee is served in special long spouted pots. Traditionally coffee is served very sweet. Sugar and flavorings are usually added during the brewing process, and grounds are not removed.

Bread is also a cherished item in Lebanese food. It is often reused until it is no longer eatable. As it stales, it is placed in the oven and baked. It then becomes crisp like a cracker and is used in many types of Lebanese food dishes. If a piece of bread has truly passed the point of being safe for eating, it then must be kissed before being tossed to the birds. In Beirut food, it is considered something to be prepared with care and consumed with passion. When visiting Beirut as a tourist, the foods and traditions involved can truly be an exotic experience in itself.