Lebanese food in Sydney can always promise one thing: an explosion of flavour. This flavour is usually due to the fresh fruits and vegetables used, roasting of lamb, beef and chicken and most notably, a blend of beautiful spices. To the unfamiliar tongue, these spices might just seem like one beautiful blend of flavours however, to a practised foodie, the specific Lebanese spices used can easily be pinpointed.
During the Roman Empire, spices were used as a source of trading from Arabia so, it’s no surprise that Lebanon is home to a plethora of spices. These spices have (fortunately for the rest of the world’s palates) beautifully permeated Lebanon’s dishes, creating a cuisine that’s full of unforgettable dishes. In this article, we’ll be discussing 5 common spices in Lebanese food and what dishes you can find them in.
Why should you learn about Lebanese spices?
You may be wondering why it’s important to learn about Lebanese spices. We fully believe that learning about your food and what goes into it makes it taste even better! Here are the reasons why we believe you should learn about the Lebanese spices you’ll taste in food.
- Understand what you’re eating – there’s joy in knowing what you’re eating. You learn to appreciate spices and decipher between the different tastes and aromas.
- Add to your personal spice cabinet – if you love to cook, you most certainly would appreciate learning about new spices to introduce to your cooking (even if it’s not Lebanese cooking!)
- Learn more about food – as you begin to discover new spices, you’ll realise that they are present in many other cuisines as well. This is usually because of the spice trade and mass migration over the years. It’s interesting to learn about the histories and cultures of countries through food.
5 common spices you’ll taste in Lebanese food from Sydney
Sumac
Sumac is one of the most popular spices in Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine. Easily spotted with its brick red and sometimes, deep purple hue, it is also one of the most distinctive flavours. Sumac is made from crushed ground berries from the wild sumac flower. It offers a sour and tangy flavour, similar to lemon juice Because of this bright flavour, it is frequently paired with meats and is a signature ingredient in za’atar.
Find sumac in Lebanese chicken and rice or sprinkled over hummus and kofta.
Za’atar
Za’atar has recently become very popular. It is not one spice but rather, a bunch of different spices blended together. The exact ingredients vary on the region and village that the za’atar hails from however, there are several commonalities and must-haves for the spice blend. It usually includes sesame seeds, dried thyme, dried marjoram and dried oregano. Some varieties also include sumac, salt, fennel and coriander. Za’atar is high in antioxidants and is extremely potent and floral due to the mix of spices.
You can find za’atar sprinkled on pita, manakeesh and salads.
Baharat (7 spices)
Baharat is the Arabic word for spices and can sometimes be referred to as the Lebanese 7 spice mix. The Lebanese 7 spice mix is very different from za’atar in that it is sweet, smokey and not used to sprinkle over finished dishes, but rather to infuse flavour into meats and vegetables before they are cooked. The spice blend is made up of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, fenugreek, allspice, pepper, and cloves. This spice blend, like many others on this list, works well with Lebanese dishes as well as Western dishes.
Find baharat in several meat dishes as well as beata’t tdamata, a Lebanese egg dish.
Cinnamon
While Westerners may know cinnamon as being a warm spice that’s paired with apples, pies and sweet desserts, the Lebanese know it as a spice that’s perfect for savoury dishes, especially meat dishes! The warmth of cinnamon pairs strikingly well with many of the other flavours and spices used in Lebanese dishes. You can find it used in the ground form (in baharat) or in its stick/whole form.
Cinnamon is commonly used in kafta, Lebanese chicken and rice and lahmbi ajeen.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg is another spice that Westerners are used to seeing in most sweet desserts however, the potent spice is commonly used in Lebanese dishes. Its unique flavour lends beautifully to meat dishes (this is also a spice that can be found in baharat), but it is also used in sweet dishes.
You can find nutmeg in Lebanese chicken and rice, kafta or tahini hot chocolate.
If you do not have a Lebanese restaurant or takeaway shop near you then, try one of the best Middle Eastern and Lebanese restaurants in Surry Hills and Sydney – Zahli Modern Middle Eastern. They don’t only serve the best Lebanese food but they offer something for everyone. With many vegan and vegetarian options and both a lively and family-friendly ambience, you’re sure to be content if you select here.
Whenever someone is in the search for a new restaurant, their question is always, “What is the best ____ restaurant?” That’s because if you’re going to a restaurant, especially one specialised in a specific cuisine, you want to ensure that it is the best in your area. But, what makes up the best restaurant? In this article, we’ll discuss what determines the best Lebanese restaurant in Sydney.
Lebanese restaurants are some of the liveliest, most beautiful and of course most delicious places to spend your time. If you’re in the mood for a fresh and hearty feast complete with great entertainment and warm hospitality then, there’s no greater place to visit than a Lebanese restaurant. Sydney has, fortunately, been blessed with a number of great Lebanese restaurants. What distinguishes them from each other? How do you know which is the best? In this article, we’ll break down the criteria for determining the best Lebanese restaurant in Sydney.
How to pick the best Lebanese restaurant in Sydney
Look out for fresh and high-quality ingredients
Many of Lebanese cuisine’s dishes are based on fresh vegetables and fruits. For example, fattoush, tabbouleh and balela are all made with raw and fresh ingredients. Pomegranate arils are also used to garnish many dishes. Additionally, many dishes require little cooking such as labneh and hummus so, it is important that the raw ingredients are high-quality to begin with, in order to ensure that the final product is beautiful and perfect.
The best Lebanese restaurant in Sydney will ensure that their ingredients are fresh and sourced locally, if possible After all, the best produce is always found locally. Look out for fresh produce and high-quality ingredients and you’ll not be disappointed.
Always select a restaurant with authentic dishes
This is not to say that innovative or modern dishes are signs of a bad restaurant however, a true Lebanese restaurant will not leave out classics such as kofta, baba ghanouj or lahem mishwee. Don’t think that if there is one modern take on a Lebanese dish that it is a bad sign. Instead, look out for traditional dishes–a few on the menu will indicate authenticity. However, if a restaurant completely leaves out traditional dishes, then it’s a sign that this may not be the best restaurant that you are looking for.
Our favourite, traditional Lebanese dishes are muttabadal, knafeh and kibbeh nayyeh.
Pick a restaurant with belly dancing!
A large part of the Lebanese dining experience is belly dancing. A lively atmosphere filled with traditional belly dancers performing to Lebanese music is a sign that the Lebanese restaurant takes their culture and history seriously. The best Lebanese restaurant is not just about food, but the experience!
Check the reviews on their hospitality
Of course, there must be checks on a restaurant’s hospitality. Lebanese people are known for their warmth and hospitality. This is why when determining the best Lebanese restaurant in Sydney, it is important that you consider their hospitality towards customers. Check several review platforms (Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, Zomato) for comments from customers and use this as your information source.
Is there Lebanese coffee on the menu?
Lebanese coffee is a way of life for people in Lebanon. The best Lebanese restaurant in Sydney will not only serve Lebanese coffee, but they will serve it traditionally–in a rakweh.
Use this article as a guide for picking your next Lebanese restaurant. It will help you narrow down your options as well as ensure that you have a great night out.
Ready for our pick as the best Lebanese restaurants in Surry Hills and Sydney? It’s Zahli Modern Middle Eastern. They don’t only serve the best Lebanese food but they offer something for everyone. With many vegan and vegetarian options and of course, authentic dishes, you’ll be in for a feast! It’s also home to both a lively and family-friendly ambience, so you’re sure to be content if you select here.
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