International Falafel Day 2026: Learn The Art Of Making The Popular Middle-Eastern Street Dish

There are few foods in the world that have travelled as successfully as falafel. It began life somewhere in the ancient culinary crossroads of the Middle East and North Africa... most likely in Egypt, where many historians believe Coptic Christians ate it as a meat substitute during Lent. At the time, it was probably made from fava beans rather than chickpeas. Somewhere along its long and slightly mysterious journey through history, chickpeas entered the story, and the humble falafel transformed into one of the world's most beloved street foods.