Q 01/05

Which Levantine dip is mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, lemon juice and garlic?

A) Hummus

B) Muhammara

C) Baba ghanoush

D) Labneh

Answer · why

A) Hummus

Its earliest mention is in a 13th-century cookbook attributed to Ibn al-Adim of Aleppo.

Q 02/05

Falafel, though now a Levantine staple, originated in which country?

A) Lebanon

B) Egypt

C) Syria

D) Turkey

Answer · why

B) Egypt

In Egypt it is still usually made from fava beans; the Levant switched to chickpeas.

Q 03/05

Which Levantine street food takes its name from the Turkish çevirme, meaning 'turning'?

A) Kofta

B) Kibbeh

C) Shawarma

D) Lahmacun

Answer · why

C) Shawarma

Thin slices of meat are stacked in an inverted cone and roasted on a slow-turning vertical spit.

Q 04/05

Baklava is a layered nut-filled dessert made from which pastry?

A) Puff pastry

B) Choux pastry

C) Shortcrust

D) Filo

Answer · why

D) Filo

The Ottomans spread paper-thin phyllo sweets across the region along with thick coffee.

Q 05/05

Tabbouleh is a salad of soaked cracked wheat and which finely chopped herb?

A) Parsley

B) Coriander

C) Dill

D) Basil

Answer · why

A) Parsley

Tomatoes, mint and onion go in too, dressed with olive oil and lemon.