Popular Cuisines In Egypt

In spite of the many ancient civilizations with which it has come into contact, Egypt unquestionably belongs to a social and cultural tradition that is Arab and Islamic. This tradition remains a constant factor in determining how Egyptians view both themselves and the world.

Lifestyles in the larger cities vary greatly from those of the countryside and are, in many ways, more akin to patterns found in urban culture worldwide. Although modesty is maintained in urban modes of dress, particularly given the tendency from the early 1980s onward for women to return to wearing the hijab, urban clothing styles differ only marginally from those found in many European cities. Likewise, foreign manners and values, mostly Western, have heavily influenced urban tastes in art, literature, cuisine, and other areas.

Foreign influences on Egyptian cuisine as a whole have come mostly from other areas of the Mediterranean, including Greece, Turkey, and the Levant. Urban tastes, however, have been most heavily and diversely influenced from abroad. Rural tastes are represented by such dishes as ful mudammis, consisting of slowly cooked fava (broad) beans and spices that is usually served with side dishes and bread and is widely considered the national food.

Falafel, a fried cake of legumes, is a staple throughout the region and probably originated in Egypt. Because of the country’s dominant riverine culture, fish are prevalent, but they do not make up an enormous part of the diet. As in other countries of the Middle East, mutton is the most commonly consumed meat. Chicken is ubiquitous, and pigeon is extremely popular as a delicacy (with pigeon cotes a common sight in many villages).

Some desserts have been adapted from Turkish dishes, which can be seen in the common use of the paper-thin sheets of phyllo pastry in them. Honey is the most common sweetener, and native fruits, particularly figs and dates are used in most puddings and other desserts. Although the consumption of alcoholic beverages is proscribed under Islam, locally brewed and fermented drinks are found, and some are imported. Coffee and tea are popular refreshments.

A popular F&B brand in Egypt is Laduree of French origin. Laduree is well known for the world-famous macarons. Since the 19th century, a typical Parisian-style macaron is presented with a ganache, buttercream, or jam filling sandwiched between two such cookies, akin to a sandwich cookie. The confection is characterized by a ruffled circumference, referred to as the ‘crown’ or ‘foot’ and a flat base. It is mildly moist and easily melts in the mouth.

A macaron (pronounced mack-a-ROHN) is a confection made up of two round, flat, almond-flour-based cookies sandwiching an emulsified filling like ganache or jam. Any variation in color or flavor is simply a variation in the filling, plus some food coloring added to the shells. A macaron is in every way more visual appealing than the cupcake.

In Paris, the Ladurée chain of pastry shops has been known for its macarons for about 150 years. Ladurée is a veritable celebration of sweets and pastry innovation. Every moment of creation is an intense experience. Twice a year, like fashion designers, Ladurée imagines new desserts such as the Rose Religieuse, the Rose- Raspberry Saint-Honoré, the Liquorice Millefeuille, and the Blackcurrant-Violet Macaron.

Ladurée has a wide range of unique seasonal and classic macaron flavors. Always gluten-free and always delicious. The Ladurée vault contains over 100 secret recipes with various flavor combinations tested to perfection.

If you are a fan of designer macarons, pastries, and delicatessen, head out to the Laduree restaurants in Waterway and Arkan Plaza.

Since opening in 2012 Arkan has evolved into West Cairo’s primary commercial and social destination, offering a multitude of retail and dining outlets along with gyms, banks and offices. All radiating from its welcoming central plaza, situated in the heart of Sheikh Zayed and directly accessible from the ‘Mehwar’ highway, Arkan’s location is unrivalled.

For more information on the Laduree restaurant, visit the website https://laduree.eg