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What do people eat in Qatar?

Diet

The traditional diet in Qatar is heavily influenced by the country's geographic location, cultural heritage, and Islamic dietary laws.

Rice and Meat: Rice is a staple food in Qatar and is often served alongside meat, such as lamb, chicken, or beef. Popular meat dishes include kebabs, grilled lamb chops, and roasted chicken. Meat is typically seasoned with various spices, including cumin, coriander, and turmeric.

Seafood: Given Qatar's proximity to the Arabian Gulf, seafood is abundant and widely consumed. Fish, shrimp, crab, and lobster are commonly featured in Qatari cuisine. Grilled fish and seafood stews are popular dishes, often seasoned with local spices and herbs.

Bread: Bread is an essential part of the Qatari diet and is served with many meals. Khubz, a type of flatbread, is commonly eaten with hummus, grilled meats, or stews. Other traditional bread varieties include samoon and regag.

Dates and Fruits: Dates are a traditional snack and dessert in Qatar and hold cultural significance during religious holidays such as Ramadan. Fruits like oranges, pomegranates, and grapes are also commonly consumed as snacks or as ingredients in salads and desserts.

Dairy Products: Dairy products such as yogurt and laban (buttermilk) are integral to Qatari cuisine and are often served alongside meals to help balance spicy or savory flavors. Laban is also commonly used in marinades and dressings.

Rice Dishes: Qataris enjoy a variety of rice-based dishes, including biryani, machbous, and kabsa. These dishes typically feature seasoned rice cooked with meat or seafood and are often garnished with fried onions, nuts, and raisins.

Sweets and Desserts: Qatari desserts are known for their rich flavors and use of ingredients such as dates, honey, nuts, and spices. Popular desserts include baklava, luqaimat (fried dough balls dipped in syrup), and kunafa (a pastry made with shredded filo dough and sweet cheese).

Beverages: Traditional Qatari beverages include Arabic coffee (qahwa) and sweet tea, which are often served at social gatherings and hospitality rituals. Refreshing drinks like lemon mint juice and tamarind juice are also popular during the hot summer months.

Overall, the Qatari diet is characterized by its emphasis on grains, meat, seafood, dairy products, and aromatic spices, reflecting the country's cultural heritage and culinary traditions. However, modernization and globalization have also led to incorporating international cuisines and food trends in Qatar's culinary landscape.

Mealtime

Because the workday begins early, breakfast is usually served at about 6:00 a.m. It is light and contains olives, cheese, yogurt, and coffee. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day. People eat after 1 PM and then rest before going back to work. Lunch often begins with appetizers, followed by fish or lamb stew, salads, cooked vegetables, bread, and fruit. Many people eat without using cutlery; instead, they hold a piece of bread in their right hand and use it to scoop up the food. Dinner is served late evening and is usually light, except during Ramadan and on special occasions.

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