ZiryBlog: Culinary Inspirations

Touma Arak


Ziryab offers on its menu the wonderful Arak Touma made by the winery Château St Thomas in Lebanon’s Bekaa valley, and reputedly using the finest aniseed from the al Heeneh area of Mount Hermon.

Arak is a 50% pure-grape alcohol made primarily in the Levant (Near East). It can be found in Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, Syria, Israel and Iran, and each country and producer add their special touch so it can vary quite a lot from one place to another. It is a clear, odourless, unsweetened anise-flavoured drink… with a potency that will have your mouth tingling…! Arak is a blend of French distillation methods matched with Lebanese tradition, and our Arak Touma is so smooth, after distillation four times, that it is completely methanol-free.

The delicate scent of the quality aniseed is a pure delight and a gem to drink if you are an anise-lover. Ziryab recommends drinking Aram Touma alone as an aperitivo, with ice and water (1/3 Arak to 2/3 water). Diluting the water (which is usually put into a traditional Levantine vessel called a “Bariq”) with the Arak causes it’s colour to change to a milky white substance. This interesting phenomenon happens because anethole, the essential oil of anise, is soluble in alcohol but not in water.

If not drinking it alone, you could also have it as an accompaniment one of our tapas-mezze! Many like to accompany it with barbecued meats or garlic flavours. Yalla try it!

Hola! The Delectable Tapas in Barcelona also have Medicinal Purposes.

From friends or bloggers who have been to Barcelona, you might have heard of the famous city’s delectable tapas. Indeed, tapas is only one of many influential things that have been associated with Barcelona—and in a much larger context, Spain. But did you know that this dish was literally fit for a king? Richard Odale of The Daily Meal travelled to Spain to find out why tapas are so important in their country:
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Vegetarian Tapas in Barcelona: Authentic Treats You Can Nibble On

So you’ve booked your Barcelona trip, and are ready to go shortly. All your bags are packed, and your documents settled, and the hotel room reservation’s stamped in—however, you feel a nagging concern in the back of your mind. About.com resident Spain travel expert Damian Corrigan sums that up with these words: Continue reading “Vegetarian Tapas in Barcelona: Authentic Treats You Can Nibble On”

Indulge in Fusion Tapas in Barcelona for a Taste of Two Rich Cuisines

A tour around Barcelona wouldn’t be complete without heading to a bar for tapas, and, of course, a glass or two of good wine. If you want a true taste of the Spanish lifestyle, get to know these mouth-watering treats and dig in. Continue reading “Indulge in Fusion Tapas in Barcelona for a Taste of Two Rich Cuisines”

The Coca Flatbread: A Popular, Pizza-like Tapas en Barcelona Delicacy

It is commonly held that pizza—that iconic flat dough of bread baked with an assortment of toppings—and all other pizza-like foodstuff, originated in Italy. The famous all-around fare, as it turns out, is embodied in other cultures, as well, with variations in dough recipe and toppings, but still echoing the elemental simplicity of the form. Spain, for instance, has its own local version of the pizza served as part of a popular tapas in Barcelona, and other popular culinary hotspots in the country. Tapas are small appetizer delicacies—finger foods or canapes—some of which are best served hot, and others cold. As the LA Times’ Regina Schrambling notes: Continue reading “The Coca Flatbread: A Popular, Pizza-like Tapas en Barcelona Delicacy”

A Guide to Finding Good Wine to Go with Delicious Tapas in Barcelona

Summer is the peak travel season because the kids are out of school and family schedules are generally free. One of the most popular summer destinations is Spain, particularly Barcelona, because the city has something for everyone. The Huffington Post travel blogger Adam Groffman explains the allure of the city of Counts.
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Today, There are Better Ways to Enjoy a Plate of Tapas in Barcelona

For the past few years, various ethnic groups in Europe have been taking the center stage, both on the political and cultural scenes. According to renowned author of European travel guides Rick Steves, the Catalans are one such group and their home of Catalunya (also spelled as Catalonia) in Barcelona, Spain is currently one of the most exciting places to be right now. This description is especially true when it comes to the food, specifically tapas: Continue reading “Today, There are Better Ways to Enjoy a Plate of Tapas in Barcelona”

Eating Tapas in Barcelona—a Fun and Healthy Dining Experience To Try

When you vacation in Barcelona, you’ll no doubt be visiting attractions like Placa Reial, Montjuic and Las Ramblas to soak in the city’s rich culture. That being said, one of the best ways to get to know a city is by sampling the food it has to offer—and Barcelona has no shortage of scrumptious dishes to try out. Continue reading “Eating Tapas in Barcelona—a Fun and Healthy Dining Experience To Try”

Pimientos de Padrón: A Taste of Authentic, Awesome Tapas in Barcelona

Before his vacation in Spain, self-confessed foodie Joshua Bousel expected a full-blown cultural experience of sights, sounds, and tastes distinctively Spanish. He treated his taste buds on world-renowned Catalan cuisine, characterized by a melting pot of flavors, spices, and other quirky features. Catalan cuisine and Tapas in Barcelona is dominated by a classification of appetisers, eaten in Barcelona and other Catalan communes. One of the most recognizable tapas in this region is the Pimientos de Padron, which thoroughly captivated Bousel, as he described in his article on SeriousEats.com.  Continue reading “Pimientos de Padrón: A Taste of Authentic, Awesome Tapas in Barcelona”

Tapas in Barcelona: Experiencing Spanish Tradition with Every Bite

Spain is always known for its variety of traditions. Its history of assimilating various cultures is one of the many reasons this country has a unique and colorful identity. With respect to its food culture, Spain can be identified through its mixtures of various cuisines, often resulting in one-of-a-kind delicacies that people around the world enjoy. Such is the case with Spanish tapas.
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