Cuisine in Algeria is an amalgamation of French, Turkish, Arab, Berber, Roman and Spanish cuisines. A complete meal in Algeria will include appetizer, main dish, dessert and pastries

Cuisine in Algeria is an amalgamation of French, Turkish, Arab, Berber, Roman and Spanish cuisines. Get to know more about Cuisine in Algeria through Algeria Travel Guide.

Algeria is the second largest country in Africa. It is world's 11th largest country. The country shares its borders with Tunisia towards the northeast, Niger in the southeast, Libya towards the east, Mali and Mauritania towards the southwest, Morocco and Western Sahara towards the west. The country is landscaped by hills, mountains and natural harbors. Algiers is the capital city of Algeria. The country houses a narrow shoreline by the Mediterranean Sea.

Algeria Cuisine is just smashing. Cuisine in Algeria reflects the eclectic fusion of the culinary specialties and nuances of the Turkish Arabs, Spanish, Berber and Roman cuisines. The influence of Berber on Algeria food can be seen in the local diet which consists of stews, vegetables, lamb, dried fruits, sweets, sea food dishes, grains. The spicy flavor of Algerian dishes as well as including pastries in meals come from the influence of the Arabs and the Turks on Algerian cuisine. While the French have introduced the use of tomato puree while cooking Algerian meals. If you taste Algerian food it will not be hard for you to discern the flavors of caraway, cumin, coriander, marjoram and fennel. Sine the country enjoys a narrow Mediterranean coastline the people of Algeria have included chicken, lamb and seafood dishes in their culinary preferences. The national dish in Algeria is Couscous which consists of pasta steamed with meat and vegetable stew. Couscous is one of the popular North African dishes. A complete meal in Algeria will include appetizer, main dish, dessert and pastries.

The appetizers include marinated olives( Mslalla) and Bourek which is a preparation of phyllo pastry stuffed with egg, meat and onion.

Main dishes in Algeria are :

• Charcoal roasted lamb ( Mechoui)
• Spicy chicken or lamb stew tossed with vegetables( Chorba)
• Spicy lamb sausages( Merquez)
• White bean stew(Loubia b' Dirsa)
• Onion and orange salad( Slata bel Clementinas)
• Couscous served with dried vegetables and chicken( Bissar)
• Spicy kebabs( Brochettes)

Some of the popular desserts and pastries in Algerian food are:

• Makroud with dates or figs
• date candies called Rfis Tmer
• Honey pastries called Griouche
• Samsa
• Sugar cookies or Ghriba

The popular beverages in Algeria are coffee, fruit drinks and tea served with fresh mint.