Traditional cuisine

Egyptian cuisine has an endearing simplicity to it, with legumes and vegetables being at the heart of many dishes. Two of the most popular savory dishes are: kushari - an enticing combination of rice, lentils, caramelized onions, chickpeas, pasta and tomato sauce; and ful medames - mashed broad beans with garlic, parsley and lemon juice, often eaten with pitta bread. Buffalo cheese, rice, dips such as baba ghanoush (mashed grilled eggplant mixed with tahini, lemon juice, seasoning and olive oil), kibda (fried liver), stuffed pigeon, manshi (stuffed vegetables), falafel, and kofter (spiced meatballs) are among some of the favorite local cuisine. Delightfully flaky pastry accompanied with honey and chopped nuts are the winning ingredients in creating deliciously sweet baklava. Bouzat haleeb (ice-cream), roz be laban (vanilla rice pudding), umm ali (a hot dessert with layers of bread soaked in milk with raisins), and halawa (sesame paste confectionary) are also much-loved desserts in Egypt. 

Traditional beverages

Divine fruits are used to make a multitude of drinks in Egypt, including mango juice, strawberry juice, banana and milk, guava and milk, coconut and milk, melon juice, and stewed apricot juice. Juice is also made from sugar cane, the hibiscus flower, and carob. Some of Egypt’s beer brands have existed for over 100 years and are renowned for their quality. Stella and Sakara are two types that are worth a try. Likewise, wine production is an age-old tradition here too, with archaeological evidence indicating that it dates as far back as the 3rd century BC. Grenache, Muscat, Syrah, Chardonnay and Tempranillo are just some of the varieties available. Chill is Egypt’s range of ready-to-drink carbonated and flavored spirits, while Edge is flavored vodka but if you’re looking for neat spirits, Butler’s Gin and Auld Stag (whiskey) are well-regarded.    

Landscape and wildlife

Natural environments in Egypt include desert and mountain regions, coral reefs, wetlands and islands, resulting in 100 different species of mammal, over 270 species of bird, and more than 100 kinds of reptiles and amphibians. Marine life includes manatees, whales, dolphins and seals. Cobras, vipers, sand boas, scorpions, geckos, crocodiles and lizards all call Egypt home. Foxes, gazelles, hares, hyenas and camels are some of the land mammals found here, while partridges, eagles, falcons, vultures, owls, pelicans, storks and herons are among Egypt’s bird life. National Parks serve as a way of protecting Egypt’s diverse landscapes and ecosystems and are great places for nature lovers to visit.