Culinary gateway between East and West – diversity of Gulf cuisine

Eastern kitchen has its historical identity The Arab Gulf may be surrounded by desert but for centuries, it has been a meeting point at the crossroads of several cultures and civilisations .The strategic location of this region has affected its cuisine which is as diverse as the people who have passed through the region.
Despite being encircled by sand dunes, the sea has played a major part in allowing two distant geographic areas to come together with the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea forming the main waterways for trade between Eastern and Western civilisations.
Meanwhile convoys of tradesmen crossed the desert on their way to Africa leaving their own distinctive characteristics on the local cuisine
Indian and Persian spices became available in the region due to the vast number of merchants and trading ships passing through, making Gulf cuisine one of the most varied and aromatic in the world.
The spices also gained a reputation as a source of good health, due to their healing effects, believed to be the reason that Gulf inhabitants lived longer than people in other regions of the world. However this has since changed due to the invasion of fast food restaurants that have replaced the more healthy eating habits of the past.
Herbs and spices including cloves, mustard, ginger, saffron, anise, cinnamon and cardamom used to be staples of Gulf cooking for their prevention or cure of a number of ailments.
The unique environment also forced inhabitants to be creative in their methods of cooking.
The people of the mountainous areas of Oman used coal in stone ovens, Bahrainis used clay pots, whilst the desert inhabitants of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia preferred cooking in vessels buried beneath sand.
To counterbalance the saltiness of many dishes, the Gulf is very much dependent on its most famous fruit, the date, used in desserts and juices. Today, Gulf dates are renowned internationally for their generous size and sweet taste.
Despite the diversity of the cuisine, most dishes are simple in their ingredients and their preparation, perhaps a reflection of the Gulf lifestyle in general.