A bit about the specialist ingredients

Dry chickpeas - chickpeas are an ancient crop with a rich history and have gone from a peasant superfood to a fashionable item for the home pantry. Throughout history it has travelled across borders taking on local flavours along the way, the result is not just a delicious array of dishes but also a culinary custody battle over its origins. Throughout Israel and its neighbours, chickpeas are found in the likes of hummus, falafel, fresh salads and stews.

Tahini - Tahini was once reserved exclusively for the upper echelons of the medieval Middle East but is now a staple ingredient in almost every home in Israel and its surrounding lands. This particular variety of tahini is produced by members of the ancient Samaritan community alongside the ingredient company Belazu and comes from Mount Gerazim, a sacred mountain near the town Nablus in the West Bank which is considered to be the original home of tahini. The seeds are roasted to release a rich, nutty flavour, Belazu then double-grounds them to create their signature creamy texture and glossy finish.

Buckwheat - an ancient grain which is the dried fruit from the white flowers of a tall grass-like plant. Buckwheat originated in ancient China but many associate it with Eastern European cuisines and dishes like kasha (cooked buckwheat seasoned with butter) - Russia being a large influence on Israeli cuisine due to jewish migration. The popularity of the grain in Israel is continuing to grow as it is gluten free and relatively high in protein making for a filling base for many dishes and salads which are popping up on restaurant menus all over.

Fine semolina - semolina can be found across the Middle East in cakes which you'll see in Arab-owned bakeries throughout Israel perfumed with rose water. It also is a key feature in ancient flat breads including Laffa, which have their origins in the Fertile Crescent (a region spanning the Middle East, known historically for its rich soils and abundant access to water) before spreading westward around the Mediterranean and North Africa.