The Feud over Falafel
A crispy clash of cultures and identity
The humble falafel, a simple mixture of ground beans, herbs and spices shaped into a ball or patty and deep-fried, is inextricably linked with the Middle East but now finds itself on menus in virtually every country in the world.
But this very ubiquity of a food, equally at home on a street vendor’s cart in Cairo or a plate in an upmarket Parisian restaurant, has obscured its origins.
On World Falafel Day, Arab News takes a closer look at this seemingly simple snack that has a surprisingly complex backstory rooted in some of the darker moments of history, empire-building and colonialism.
