International Falafel Day 2023: On June 12, International Falafel Day, fans of the healthy snack assemble together. It is also a day to encourage people to try falafel for the first time. Falafel is a ball formed from ground legumes that has been deep-fried. On occasion, it is prepared with fava beans. Depending on your tastes, onions and spices such as cumin or coriander may also be included. Falafel can be consumed on its own or wrapped in a pita. Falafel is a favourite among vegans because it contains neither meat nor dairy.
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL FALAFEL DAY
The origins of the concept of falafel are contested. There is a legend that originated in Egypt in the fourth century when Coptic Christians ate a fava bean variant during Lent, although there is no evidence to support this. Fava legumes appear to be the origin of falafel. It is unlikely that chickpeas were introduced until later, after the dish had travelled further north. Some believe that this meal originated in Pharaonic Egypt, but no one knows for certain.
Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern street food. It is frequently included in a meze, a collection of small plates of cuisine. Jewish restaurants and neighbourhoods were the first to serve falafel in North America. It gained notoriety among North Americans in 1970, and became one of the most popular street foods almost immediately. Many restaurants now offer falafel as a meatless option for vegetarians. In the 20th century, the falafel gained popularity in Germany.
Falafel is now a globally renowned dish served in many countries. Falafel has gained popularity among vegetarians and vegans as a meatless alternative to fast food, and it is also sold in packaged form in health food stores. The co-founder of Innovation Israel established International Falafel Day in 2012. Regardless of where this dish is believed to have originated, International Falafel Day is the perfect occasion to honour it.
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5 MOUTHWATERING FACTS ABOUT FALAFELS
Falafel is a national cuisine
Egypt, Israel, and Palestine all consider falafel to be their national dish.
Jews from Yemen popularised falafels.
Yemeni Jews first popularised falafel in the 1950s.
The largest falafel on earth
In 2012, one of Amman’s hotels created the largest falafel disc in the world, weighing approximately 165 pounds.
The definition of ‘falafel’
It is believed that the word ‘falafel’ comes from the Arabic term ‘falfil,’ which means “long pepper.”
McFalafel is developed.
McDonald’s once offered a ‘McFalafel’ as part of its brunch menu in Egypt due to the dish’s popularity.
INTERNATIONAL FALAFEL DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | June 12 | Monday |
| 2024 | June 12 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | June 12 | Thursday |
| 2026 | June 12 | Friday |
| 2027 | June 12 | Saturday |
