Train of thoughts are funny. Mine jumped
from Arabic writing on a laban (yogurt) drink label to Arabia, desert, camel,
camel milk, camel chocolate?
Yes, it exists… top end quality Camel
Chocolate
http://www.al-nasma.com/
Camel cuisine also seem to be taking off in Dubai - inventions of camel burgers, kebabs, salads and even hotdogs. For the average Non-Arabian Bedouin camel might be a bit of a stretch for the pallet but historically camel was served to celebrate.
Nowadays, mostly prominent members of Arab society enjoy this Bedouin tradition, in the form of the 'largest item on any menu in the world' (according to the Guinness Book of World Records). It takes 20-24 hours to cook and is stuffed with a whole lamb, 20 chickens and 12kg of rice just to name a few. It's simply known as Stuffed Camel.
Camel cuisine also seem to be taking off in Dubai - inventions of camel burgers, kebabs, salads and even hotdogs. For the average Non-Arabian Bedouin camel might be a bit of a stretch for the pallet but historically camel was served to celebrate.
Nowadays, mostly prominent members of Arab society enjoy this Bedouin tradition, in the form of the 'largest item on any menu in the world' (according to the Guinness Book of World Records). It takes 20-24 hours to cook and is stuffed with a whole lamb, 20 chickens and 12kg of rice just to name a few. It's simply known as Stuffed Camel.
(This is also a stuffed camel. The dish is quite full on but for anyone interested)
(Yes, it's Saudi Arabian, but it's the only clip I could find for Stuffed Camel)
From its shear size, stuffed camel represents richness (as one would expect of an Emirati). However the etiquette of eating reveals a different form of richness, one intricate to the Arab culture- brotherhood and kinship. From the proximity of your fellow companion and manner of sitting to sharing from a central plate, there is a heightened sense of togetherness. And with old Emirati sayings such as 'Give your friend your blood and money', it is no wonder at the loyalty an Emirati would have for his tribe in the past.
As Dubai recreated its image over the past 50 years, adding a more cosmopolitan layer to it, such etiquettes aren't perhaps as prominent. But next time you are invited to a Sheik's wedding (with stuffed camel) remember the old Emirati saying 'Live together like brothers and do business like strangers'.
As Dubai recreated its image over the past 50 years, adding a more cosmopolitan layer to it, such etiquettes aren't perhaps as prominent. But next time you are invited to a Sheik's wedding (with stuffed camel) remember the old Emirati saying 'Live together like brothers and do business like strangers'.
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