Bahrain Food

Bahrain, the kingdom of Islands, experiences huge temperatures and less rainfall. Only very little amount of land is suitable for cultivation. The percentage of foods generated through cultivation cannot satisfy the nation’s needs. Most of Bahrain food is imported from other nations. The major crops of Bahrain include dates, plantain, mangoes, citrus varieties of fruits, and pomegranates. Even the live stock population is also not adequate to support the growing Bahrain food requirements. However, fishing industry is always on the high, with availability of plenty of fishes and shrimps.

Traditional Bahrain food includes rice, fish, meat and dates. Machboos made of meat or fish is a famous dish and is served in most of the restaurants. It is quite delicious and liked by the local people. Even foreigners fall in love with this dish. Muhammar is another highly known delicious dish. Other kinds of Bahrain food that are quite popular among the local people include falafel, and shwarma, which is lamb or chicken slice wrapped around bread. These two varieties are Arabic foods, which have gained immense popularity in Bahrain. Traditional Bahrain snacks are fried cakes made out of potatoes, and pastries that are stuffed with meat, loads of cheese, or simply with sugar and nuts. These snacks can be found anywhere. They can be obtained easily in souks.

There are several varieties of fish preparations that are derived from other countries, but which are very popular as Bahrain food. Fish preparations, involving either grilling, frying, or steaming are common in Bahrain. Other fish varieties that are popular include Safi, chanad, and sobaity.  Generally rice is served as the main course of the meal along with fish preparations. The influence of British rule is seen in the food varieties. Qoozi, is grilled lamb stuffed with boiled eggs, rice, onions and spices. Flat bread that is consumed along with meat or fish is termed as Khubz.

Drinking coffee forms part of Bahrain’s tradition of giving a warm welcome. The coffee or tea has a unique taste with rose water, cardamom, and saffron added along with coffee powder. Coffee is served in small cups that are termed as finjan. If one does not wish to have coffee further after having two cups, they convey it by shaking coffee cup from side to side.

A wide variety of Bahrain food is served at the time of family gatherings. Bahrainis show a great degree of hospitality to their guests. Guests have to reciprocate in a similar way by accepting the offered services, because rejection is considered as rejection of the friendship with that person. Bahrainis follow strict table manners. The food is supposed to be consumed with your right hand only. Generally the hosts are given prior importance by serving them the best of what is prepared. It is also a rule for the guests to at least taste all the varieties of foods that are served. The guests are supposed to leave a certain amount of food after completion. This serves as a symbol for the abundance of the food served by the hosts showing their generosity.

It can be seen that Bahrain food is composed of a great section of non-vegetarian diet and very less vegetarian foods.