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Falafel is a deep-fried patty-shaped fritter prepared with ground chickpeas, fava beans, or a combination of the two. Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern dish that is often served in a pita pocket or wrapped in a flatbread known as taboon; the term “falafel” is also used to describe a wrapped sandwich cooked in this manner. Salads, pickled vegetables, spicy sauce, and tahini-based sauces are poured over the falafel balls. Falafel balls can be eaten on their own as a snack or as part of a meze platter (assortment of appetizers).

Falafel is a popular street meal that can be found all across the Middle East. In Egypt, falafel is prepared with fava beans, whereas it is produced with chickpeas in the Levant. Vegetarians all around the world love it.

The Arabic term falfil (Arabic: ) is the plural of filfil () ‘pepper,’ which is derived from Persian pilpil (), from the Sanskrit word pippal () ‘long pepper’; or an older *filfal, from Aramaic pilpl’small round object, peppercorn,’ derived from palpl ‘to be round, roll’.

Falfil is a name that is used all over the world. It was originally recorded in English in 1941.

In much of Egypt and Sudan, falafel is known as Tamiya (Egyptian Arabic: amiyya, IPA: ). The term is derived from a diminutive singulative form of the Arabic word am (, “food”); the specific form denotes “a unit” of the supplied root, in this case —M (, pertaining to taste and food), and therefore means “a tiny bit of food” or “a small delectable item.”

Falafel can refer to either the fritters or the sandwiches that include them.

The origins of falafel are debatable. The meal is said to have originated in Egypt, however it may have been influenced by similar Indian recipes. There is a rumor that Copts ate a fava bean variant during Lent as early as the 4th century, although there is no documentation to support this. Its origins might be traced back to Pharaonic Egypt, according to legend. However, the oldest recorded references to falafel from Egyptian sources are from the 19th century, and deep-frying oil was probably prohibitively costly in ancient Egypt.

Because Alexandria is a port city, the dish and its name were able to be exported to other parts of the Middle East. Later, the meal made its way north to the Levant, where chickpeas took the place of fava beans.

Falafel is a popular street food or fast food item in Egypt and the Levant. The croquettes are frequently consumed as part of a meze meal. Falafel balls are occasionally served as part of the iftar, the meal that breaks the fast after sundown during Ramadan. Falafel became so popular that McDonald’s offered a “McFalafel” as part of its morning menu in Egypt for a while. Falafel remains popular among Copts, who prepare huge quantities on religious festivals.

Debates concerning the history of falafel have occasionally degenerated into political debates over the Arab-Israeli conflict. Falafel is considered a national dish of Egypt, Palestine, and Israel in contemporary times. Many Palestinians are enraged by what they perceive to be Israelis’ exploitation of their food. In addition, the Lebanese Industrialists’ Association has accused Israel of copyright infringement in the falafel industry.

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