The World | Africa and the Middle East | Yemen

Yemeni cuisine blends traditional dishes with influences from India, Lebanon, Egypt, and other Middle Eastern countries. Favorite seasonings are garlic, onion, olive oil, tahini (sesame paste), yogurt, lemon, many aromatic herbs, and spices such as cinnamon and cumin. Lamb is a popular meat, and fish and seafood are plentiful. Rice is a staple grain, and tomatoes and eggplant are favored vegetables. It is thought that Yemen was one of the first places to use coffee, and the country produces very high-quality coffee beans. Yemini cooks make delicious sweet and savory pastries, which are enjoyed with cups of thick, sweet coffee.