Taste the past — learn the stories behind every Emirati dish.
Who we are
food.UAEHistoryAndCulture.com is an educational project dedicated to preserving and teaching the culinary history of the United Arab Emirates. We are a small team of food historians, chefs, cultural researchers, educators, and local storytellers who believe that food is one of the richest ways to understand a culture. Our goal is to document, explain, and share Emirati and Gulf foodways — from household recipes passed down through generations to the ceremonies and daily rituals that surround eating.
Our mission
- Preserve authentic Emirati recipes, techniques, and food stories.
- Educate students, teachers, and curious learners about how food shaped the UAE’s social, economic, and cultural life.
- Inspire a new generation to cook, experiment, and respect culinary traditions.
- Connect global audiences with the living heritage of the Gulf through accessible, accurate, and engaging content.
What you’ll find here
- Traditional Recipes — clear, tested recipes with step-by-step photos, ingredient notes (with local alternatives), and historical context.
- Food History — articles on the origins of dishes, trade routes, spice use, Bedouin foodways, and regional variations.
- How-to Videos & Demonstrations — short educational videos demonstrating techniques (e.g., making luqaimat, majboos, khameer).
- Classroom Resources — lesson plans, activity sheets, and suggested projects for teachers (primary and secondary levels).
- Ingredient Guides — profiles of regional staples (dates, saffron, dried fish, spices) with sourcing and storage advice.
- Interviews & Oral Histories — first-hand stories from elders, home cooks, fishermen, and market vendors.
- Cultural Features — food’s role in festivals, weddings, hospitality, and religious observance.
- Interactive Tools — timelines, maps, and quizzes to help learners explore food history visually.
Who this site is for
- Students & educators seeking curriculum-aligned resources about UAE culture.
- Home cooks who want authentic Emirati recipes with modern, practical tips.
- Researchers and cultural enthusiasts interested in Gulf foodways and culinary anthropology.
- Tourists and food travellers who want deeper context before trying local dishes.
Our approach to accuracy
We combine archival research, field interviews, and hands-on testing. Recipes are annotated with:
- Source notes (who provided the recipe or story)
- Historical context (when/where it was commonly made and why)
- Modern adaptations (for urban kitchens, diet needs, and ingredient availability)
We credit contributors, cite sources, and welcome corrections from the community.
Meet the team (example entries)
- Lead Editor & Food Historian: Dr. Aisha Al Hashimi — food historian specializing in Gulf trade and Bedouin foodways.
- Culinary Director: Chef Omar Al Marri — restaurateur and traditional technique specialist.
- Education Lead: Sarah Khan — curriculum designer and former high-school teacher.
- Local Contributors: names of elders, home cooks, fishermen, market vendors (with permission) who provide oral histories.
(Replace placeholders with your real team and contributor list.)
How you can use our material (licensing)
Most educational content is free to use for non-commercial teaching and personal study with attribution to food.UAEHistoryAndCulture.com. If you need materials for commercial use or publication, please contact us for licensing. Full terms are in our Copyright & Terms page.
Get involved
- Share a recipe or story — submit via our “Contribute” form.
- Volunteer as a local recorder — help us interview elders or document markets.
- Partner with us — museums, schools, and cultural organizations can collaborate on exhibits and programs.
- Support our work — donations and sponsorships help preserve and digitize oral histories.
Contact
Email: contact@food.UAEHistoryAndCulture.com
Follow: @foodUAEHistory on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
Contribute: food.UAEHistoryAndCulture.com/contribute