Shot taken in Istanbul, Turkey
Food

Middle Eastern Fruits to Know and Love

The Middle East is the cradle of our Civilisation. People have lived in the area for thousands of years, and the region has seen entire empires rise and fall. It comes without saying food here is awesome despite the harsh, often desert-like weather.

When it comes to fruit, though, the Middle East has quite a few authentic treasures that make life in the Arabic peninsula much more pleasant. Here are the most popular Middle Eastern fruits; see if you’ve tried any!

Dates

Bowl of dried dates on wooden background from top view

You might not know this, but all countries in the Middle East, from Egypt to Iran and Saudi Arabia, produce dates. The fruits are the size of a thumb, and they grow in palm trees. More often than not, dates are consumed dried, and they’re sweet and meaty.

Figs

Figs are native to the Middle East and parts of the Mediterranean basin. The earthy, honeyed fruits are incredibly tender when ripe and have a unique taste that makes them ideal for enjoying straight from the tree or cooking with them. Did you know chances are the famous ‘forbidden fruit’ eaten by Adam and Eve was a fig?

Grapes

Although now you’ll find grapes in dozens of countries, they’re native to the Middle East, more precisely to the Caucasus in what we call today Armenia and Georgia and Azerbaijan. Where there’s grapes, there’s raisins, and raisins are one of the most widespread ingredients in Middle Eastern cuisine.

Tamarind

tamarind fruit on wooden table

Although tamarind is native to Northern Africa, it grows wild in the Middle East, too, especially in Oman. The long brown tamarind vines hang from the trees, each hiding a sticky, incredibly flavourful pulp used in sweet and savoury recipes. Tamarind has found its way to other corners of the world but has a special significance in the Middle East.

Pomegranates

Close up of fresh harvested juicy pomegranate

Last but not least, pomegranates are one of the most significant fruits around the Middle East. The tiny pomegranate seeds look like rubies, and they’re treated as such. A fantastic source of antioxidants, pomegranates are a staple food in many countries in the Arabic peninsula.