Falafel is a dish that originated in the Middle East and has become hugely popular in recent years all over the world, particularly in vegetarian restaurants. It is not only a perfect choice for those who do not eat meat, but also for coeliacs, as it is a 100% gluten-free dish.
This is a falafel, a ball or croquette made from chickpeas and seasoned with various spices. It is usually served with yogurt sauce, tahini or with a salad (thus becoming a vegan dish) and served in a pitta bread.
In this blog, we'll tell you 8 interesting facts about falafel that you might not have known:
Falafel has variations by country. For example, in Egypt it is made with fava beans, while in other countries it is made with chickpeas.
2. Authentic falafel is not made with cooked chickpeas, but with dried chickpeas, soaked until they soften.
It contains spices and herbs such as parsley, coriander, pepper, and cumin.
4. It is a dish high in protein, fibre, and unsaturated fatty acids.
Normally it's fried in hot oil, which gives it that crispy exterior texture, though there are also baked versions.
6. International Falafel Day is celebrated on 18 June.
7. The world's largest falafel (weighing over 100kg) was cooked at the Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa (Jordan) in May 2019.
8. It is a dish with centuries of history. In fact, it is said to have been consumed in Ancient Egypt.
At El Miracle, we make a falafel platter served with hummus and tahini sauce, cherry tomatoes, and a delicious Mediterranean bread. Have you tried it yet? Do you know any other interesting facts about falafel? We'd love to hear from you in the comments.
Article written by the El Miracle team