Tag: Mediterranean cuisine

The diet of people in biblical times was largely shaped by the agricultural landscape and regional customs, relying heavily on seasonal produce. Discover the key staples and cultural practices that defined what was the diet in Bible times, from the food of the average citizen to the meals of the wealthy.

Over 4,000 years ago, bulgur wheat became one of the first processed foods by man, but today many home cooks wonder about its nature and best substitutes. While no grain is exactly the same as bulgur wheat, which is parboiled, dried, and cracked, its unprocessed counterpart, cracked wheat, is the closest match. Other excellent alternatives include quick-cooking grains like quinoa and couscous, each offering a unique texture and flavor profile for various dishes.

According to the USDA, a single cup of cooked bulgur wheat contains approximately 151 calories, 5.6 grams of protein, and 8.2 grams of dietary fiber. Understanding exactly how much is a cup of bulgur wheat is essential for anyone aiming for accurate portion sizes, whether for a calorie-conscious diet or for following a recipe precisely.

For over 2,500 years, mastic resin, particularly from the Greek island of Chios, has been consumed for its medicinal and culinary properties. Yes, you can eat mastic resin, and it is traditionally used in various forms to support digestive health, improve oral hygiene, and add a unique flavor to foods.

While both come from the *Origanum vulgare* plant, dried oregano and fresh oregano leaves are not identical due to changes that occur during the drying process. This concentration of flavor compounds, especially carvacrol and thymol, significantly impacts taste, intensity, and how the herb should be used in cooking.

For thousands of years, oregano has been a staple in Mediterranean cuisine and traditional medicine. When harvesting this fragrant herb from your garden, it is important to know what part of oregano is edible and how to prepare it for maximum flavor.

According to food science studies, the grinding process fundamentally changes the flavor dynamics of herbs by releasing more essential oils immediately. So, is ground oregano the same as dried oregano? While they both originate from the same herb, they are not interchangeable and have distinct differences in texture, flavor, and culinary use.

Records show balsamic vinegar production dating back to the Middle Ages in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, but does its Italian heritage make the product as a whole authentically Mediterranean? The truth is nuanced, as traditional balsamic vinegar holds a unique and revered place within Italian and Mediterranean culinary traditions.

According to the Mediterranean Diet Foundation, eggs are a traditional component of Mediterranean cuisine, consumed moderately rather than daily. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes balanced nutrition and a variety of whole foods, meaning eggs are used as a valuable, protein-rich element, not the central focus of every meal.

While many people associate the Mediterranean diet with daily seafood consumption, the truth is that guidelines typically recommend consuming fish just 2-3 times per week. This moderate intake of fish is a cornerstone of the traditional eating pattern, distinguishing it from the misconception that Mediterraneans eat fish every day.