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Falafel Spice Mix
Falafel Spice Mix (pronounced fuh-laa-fl), is also called falafel seasoning, falafel spices, or falafel seasoning mix.What is a Falafel
Falafels are a common street food that is eaten throughout the Middle East. Falafels are deep-fried patty-shaped fritters or balls typically made from ground chickpeas (aka garbonzo beans), fava beans or some combination of both. Hot and crunchy on the outside, fluffy and herby within, they are enjoyed by people all across the world.Most often served inside a pita, or wrapped in flatbread, falafels are no longer simply fast food for vegetarians and vegans. The whole “sandwich” is coated with hummus, drizzled with tahini and, if you’re a fan of some additional heat, topped with a spicy sauce. Falafel Seasoning makes crafting homemade falafels much easier.
History of Falafels
Falafel has an interesting history. There is a lot of controversy surrounding this seemingly simple food, and while the origins of the dish can not be pinpointed exactly, it is an undisputed fact that this food has now crossed enough borders to be considered international fare.To get to falafel’s beginnings you can start with the origin of the name. Falafel is an Egyptian word derived from the word “Pepper”. In Egypt, Falafel has historically also been called Ta’amiya which also comes from the Egyptian dialect and is thought to come from the Arabic word “ta’am” which means “taste”. Some Egyptian historians believe that the Pharaohs (3000 BC – 2134 BC) ate Ta’amiya, and they had stuffed it with many fillings to add more flavor to it. Some of these may have included eggs, meat, or liver. This would have been a bit difficult given how hard frying oil would have been to come by at that time.
Other food historians are of the belief that falafel dates back approximately 1,000 years (1000 AD) and was brought to the Egyptian region by the Copts, an indigenous people from North Africa who migrated to the area that is modern day Egypt and Sudan. And still another theory has the creation of falafel being more recent and dating to the late 19th century. This version ties the appearance to British officers who upon occupying Egypt in 1882 requested that their Egyptian cooks prepare a dish of fried vegetable croquettes using local ingredients that was similar to what the officers had enjoyed while stationed in India. This telling aligns with when the dish first began appearing in Egyptian literature. It appears that the falafel first emerged in Alexandria, the principal port of Egypt and at the time the city also had the largest concentration of British troops. The first falafels were made with fava beans and the Egyptians name for fava beans in is “ful”.
Despite the evidence of falafel originating in Egypt, several other countries claim falafel as their own. With Israel being the most persistent in this claim, even promoting falafel as one of their national dishes. It is most likely that falafel spread from Alexandria to the Jewish communities in Palestine. These communities integrated the dish into their own cuisine. But it wasn’t until 1948, when Israel became an independent state and Jewish people from Yemen, Turkey, and North Africa began immigrating to Israel, bringing with them their fondness for falafel, that its popularity exploded in Israel.
What Does Falafel Seasoning Taste Like
Earthy with some mild heat, this is not a spicy blend. It is more of a flavor enhancer.How do You use Falafel Seasoning
This Falafel Seasoning blend is, in fact, wonderful in Falafel, so make them as individual appetizers to dip, or put them into a pita and enjoy a Falafel Sandwich. It's delicious sprinkled over hummus that’s topped with pomegranate seeds. Halloumi, a Mediterranean cheese that doesn’t melt, is delicious cut in slices and fried. Toss Falafel seasoning over halloumi fries for a street food treat. Add to the flavor base for lentil soup, or shell some fava beans and stir this into the sauté. This blend is also excellent tucked under the skin of roasted chicken; tuck half a lemon in the chicken’s cavity for extra fragrance while it roasts. Toss over grilled asparagus. Bake eggplant slices that have been tossed with oil and Falafel Spice Mix, then add to couscous. Mix tahini and yogurt and stir in some Falafel Seasoning for a dip for fresh vegetables.| Ingredients | Salt, garlic, onion, ground cumin, ground coriander, parsley flakes, cayenne pepper, black pepper and cardamom powder |
| Also Called | Falafel seasoning, falafel spices, or falafel seasoning mix |
| Recommended Uses | Use in falafels or add to cheese dips, chicken, couscous, fries, and soups |
| Flavor Profile | Earthy with hints of garlic and some middle to back of the tongue mild heat |
| Cuisine | Mediterranean and Middle Eastern |
| How To Store | Airtight container in a cool, dark place |
| Shelf Life | 6-12 Months |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Dietary Preferences | Gluten Free, Non-GMO |
| Allergen | Mustard |
Hungry for More Information
Middle Eastern Spices and SeasoningsAleppo Pepper: History in a Modern Kitchen
Vegan Spices and Seasonings
Living the Mediterranean Diet