Emirati cuisine quiz: traditional dishes, sweets and coffee — questions and answers

Here are 12 questions from the “Emirati cuisine” category of Uloomak, from easy to hard. Try to answer, then tap “Show the answer” to see the answer and its source.

1. Which grain is the Emirati dish “harees” based on?Easy

   • ARice
   • BCracked wheat
   • CCorn
   • DBarley
   Show the answer

   Correct answer: B) Cracked wheat

   Harees is not easy to make and takes a long time; it is served at occasions, weddings and gatherings.

   Source: Emarat Al Youm

2. What is the main ingredient of the dish “jasheed”?Easy

   • ALamb
   • BFish
   • CChicken
   • DCamel meat
   Show the answer

   Correct answer: B) Fish

   Traditional Emirati dishes rely mainly on local natural ingredients.

   Source: Al Bayan

3. Who is served Arabic coffee first in the majlis?Easy

   • AThe host
   • BThe youngest present
   • CWhoever sits by the door
   • DThe most important or eldest guest
   Show the answer

   Correct answer: D) The most important or eldest guest

   The guest takes the cup with the right hand and hands it back to the server.

   Source: Emarat Al Youm

4. What is the dish 'thareed' called in the local Emirati dialect?Easy

   • AFareed
   • BMadrooba
   • CHarees
   • DMachboos
   Show the answer

   Correct answer: A) Fareed

   The bread used in it is regag, torn into small pieces and soaked in meat broth.

   Source: Al Bayan

5. What nickname is harees known by, since it is present at weddings, Eids and Ramadan?Medium

   • AKing of the spread
   • BPrince of feasts
   • CMaster of the table
   • DCrown of the fuwala
   Show the answer

   Correct answer: C) Master of the table

   Harees is poured into dishes with local ghee and is sometimes garnished with fried onion.

   Source: Emarat Al Youm

6. Once a “regag” bread has dried on the fire, it is lifted off with a tool also used for roasting coffee beans. Which?Medium

   • AMinhaz (mortar)
   • BDallah
   • CMihmas
   • DFinjan
   Show the answer

   Correct answer: C) Mihmas

   Regag is eaten topped with ghee and sugar, or used for thareed.

   Source: Al Khaleej

7. Where is the “Bait Al Gahwa” (Coffee House) initiative of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi based?Medium

   • AMina Market
   • BThe House of Artisans in the Al Hosn area
   • CSaadiyat Island
   • DAl Ain Oasis
   Show the answer

   Correct answer: B) The House of Artisans in the Al Hosn area

   The initiative was launched in 2018 and is run by licensed Emirati entrepreneurs.

   Source: Emarat Al Youm

8. Emirati 'boober' aseeda is made from toasted flour with which vegetable?Medium

   • APumpkin
   • BCarrot
   • CSweet potato
   • DBeetroot
   Show the answer

   Correct answer: A) Pumpkin

   It is flavoured with rose water, saffron, cardamom and ghee, and served at family celebrations.

   Source: Emarat Al Youm

9. Harees is sometimes called “al-tulu'”. Which occasion is this name linked to?Hard

   • AMother and newborn completing the forty days after birth
   • BPearl-diving ships returning to the coast
   • CThe start of the fresh-date season
   • DThe first day of winter
   Show the answer

   Correct answer: A) Mother and newborn completing the forty days after birth

   In the past, family members and the neighbourhood children gathered around the harees pot.

   Source: Emarat Al Youm

10. What is “sahna” in traditional Emirati cooking?Hard

    • ADried sardine powder
    • BGround cardamom and saffron mix
    • CDried date powder
    • DFermented wheat dough
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: A) Dried sardine powder

    “Dangu” (boiled chickpeas) and “bajella” (boiled fava beans) were old breakfast foods.

    Source: Al Bayan

11. Which variety gives its name to the first fresh dates of the season in the UAE, between June and early July?Hard

    • AKhalas
    • BNighal
    • CLulu
    • DFardh
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    Correct answer: B) Nighal

    Palms are planted in the UAE in May, August, September and October.

    Source: Al Bayan

12. The wood of which tree is used to fire the 'Eid tannour' because it is considered one of the strongest firewoods?Hard

    • AGhaf
    • BSidr
    • CSamr
    • DDate palm
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: C) Samr

    How long the meat stays in the tannour depends on the size of the animal.

    Source: Al Bayan

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