Pairing Mead with Middle Eastern Cuisine: A Gourmet Guide for Dubai

A Culinary Renaissance: Mead Meets Middle Eastern Flavors

In the bustling culinary scene of Dubai, where tradition meets innovation, a new trend is emerging: pairing the ancient beverage of mead with the rich and diverse flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine. This unexpected combination is creating a sensory experience that’s captivating food enthusiasts and challenging conventional notions of food and drink pairings.

As mead gains popularity in the UAE, chefs and sommeliers are discovering its versatility in complementing and enhancing the complex flavors of Middle Eastern dishes. This guide will explore the art of pairing mead with traditional and contemporary Middle Eastern cuisine, offering insights from Dubai’s top culinary experts and showcasing some of the city’s most innovative food and mead pairings.

Understanding Mead: A Primer for Pairing

Before delving into specific pairings, it’s essential to understand the basics of mead and its flavor profiles:

1. Sweetness Levels: Meads range from bone-dry to dessert-sweet. The sweetness level is crucial in pairing with food.
2. Flavor Infusions: Many meads are infused with fruits, spices, or herbs, adding layers of complexity.
3. Alcohol Content: Meads can vary from 3.5% to 18% ABV, impacting their intensity and pairing potential.
4. Carbonation: Still, sparkling, and lightly effervescent meads each offer different pairing opportunities.

The Art of Pairing: Principles and Techniques

When pairing mead with Middle Eastern cuisine, consider these principles:

1. Complement or Contrast: Either match similar flavor profiles or create an interesting contrast.
2. Consider Intensity: The mead should neither overpower nor be overpowered by the dish.
3. Regional Synergy: Look for meads that use ingredients from the same region as the dish for a harmonious pairing.
4. Texture Matters: Consider how the mead’s body (light, medium, full) interacts with the texture of the food.

Appetizers and Mezze: Starting the Culinary Journey

Middle Eastern meals often begin with a variety of small dishes known as mezze. Here are some expert-recommended pairings:

1. Hummus and Dry Saffron Mead: The creamy texture of hummus pairs beautifully with a dry, saffron-infused mead. Chef Mahmoud Al-Khatib of Burj Al Arab’s Al Muntaha restaurant recommends the locally-produced “Golden Nectar” from Oasis Meadery. “The saffron notes in the mead complement the earthiness of the chickpeas, while its dryness cuts through the richness of the tahini,” he explains.
2. Tabbouleh and Citrus Blossom Mead: The fresh, herbal notes of tabbouleh find a perfect match in a light, citrus blossom mead. Sommelier Aisha Al-Thani suggests “Zest of the East” from Liwa Oasis Meadery. “The bright, citrusy notes of the mead enhance the parsley and lemon in the tabbouleh without overpowering the delicate flavors,” she notes.
3. Falafel and Hoppy Mead: For a fusion twist, pair crispy falafel with a hop-infused mead. Mead maker Khalid Al-Fahim recommends his “Desert IPA Mead” from Dubai Meadworks. “The hoppy bitterness cuts through the richness of the fried falafel, while the underlying honey sweetness complements the spices,” he explains.

Main Courses: Bold Flavors, Bold Pairings

Middle Eastern main courses offer a wealth of flavors and textures to pair with mead:

1. Lamb Mansaf and Aged Mead: The rich, gamey flavors of Jordan’s national dish, lamb mansaf, call for a robust, aged mead. Chef Fadi Nasr of Ewaan at The Palace Downtown Dubai pairs it with “Bedouin’s Reserve,” a five-year-aged mead from Hatta Honey Farm. “The complex, oaky notes of the aged mead stand up to the strong flavors of the lamb and fermented yogurt sauce,” Nasr explains.
2. Machboos and Cardamom Mead: This fragrant rice and meat dish popular in the Gulf region pairs excellently with a cardamom-infused mead. Mead sommelier Laila Al-Mansoori recommends “Spice Route” from Al Ain Oasis Meadery. “The cardamom in the mead echoes the spices in the machboos, creating a harmonious flavor profile,” she notes.
3. Vegetarian Moussaka and Fig Mead: For a vegetarian option, pair a hearty eggplant moussaka with a fig-infused mead. Chef Izu Ani of Gaia Dubai suggests “Oasis Fig Elixir” from Desert Bloom Meadery. “The rich, earthy flavors of the eggplant and the sweetness of the tomato sauce are beautifully complemented by the fruity notes of the fig mead,” Ani explains.

Desserts: Sweet Endings

Middle Eastern desserts, known for their sweetness, require careful pairing to avoid overwhelming the palate:

1. Baklava and Orange Blossom Mead: The delicate flavors of baklava are enhanced by a light, orange blossom mead. Pastry chef Sahar Parham Al Awadhi of BHAR at Renaissance Downtown Hotel recommends “Citrus Sunrise” from Falcon Meadery. “The subtle citrus notes cut through the sweetness of the baklava without overpowering its nutty flavors,” she explains.
2. Umm Ali and Caramel Mead: This warm Egyptian bread pudding finds a perfect companion in a caramel-noted mead. Sommelier Omar Al-Busaidy suggests “Desert Caramel” from Liwa Oasis Meadery. “The caramel notes in the mead echo the caramelized top of the Umm Ali, while its sweetness complements the dessert without being cloying,” he notes.
3. Kunafa and Rose Petal Mead: The cheese-filled, syrup-soaked kunafa pairs beautifully with a delicate rose petal mead. Chef Greg Malouf of Zaahira recommends “Damascene Rose” from Oasis Elixirs. “The floral notes of the rose mead enhance the subtle flavors of the kunafa’s syrup, creating a truly aromatic experience,” Malouf explains.

Innovative Fusion: Pushing Culinary Boundaries

Dubai’s innovative culinary scene is taking mead and Middle Eastern food pairings to new heights:

1. Mead-Glazed Shawarma: At avant-garde eatery Tresind Studio, chef Himanshu Saini has created a mead-glazed shawarma paired with a custom-brewed za’atar mead. “We reduce a local spiced mead to create a glaze for our lamb shawarma, then pair it with a za’atar-infused mead. The result is a dish that encapsulates the essence of Middle Eastern flavors with a modern twist,” Saini explains.
2. Mead-Cured Salmon with Labneh: Fusion restaurant 3 Fils offers a unique take on gravlax, curing salmon in a saffron mead before serving it with labneh. Chef Shun Shiroma pairs this with a light, effervescent mead from local producer Buzzing Hive. “The bubbles in the mead cut through the richness of the salmon and labneh, while its honey notes complement the saffron cure,” Shiroma notes.
3. Mead Ummardeen Sorbet: Innovative ice cream parlor Scoopi Café has created a sorbet using ummardeen (apricot leather) and local mead. Owner Zubin Doshi pairs this with a small glass of the same mead used in the sorbet. “It’s a playful way to experience how mead can transform familiar flavors,” Doshi explains.

Mead Cocktails: A Modern Twist

For those looking to experience mead in a different form, many Dubai establishments are incorporating mead into innovative cocktails:

1. The Spice Souk Spritz: At Gold On 27 in Burj Al Arab, mixologist Tamas Czinki has created a cocktail that combines dry sparkling mead with arak, rose water, and a saffron-cardamom syrup. “It’s a effervescent journey through the flavors of the Middle East,” Czinki describes.
2. Desert Storm: Vault bar at JW Marriott Marquis offers a bold cocktail mixing aged mead with bourbon, date syrup, and bitters. Bartender Shekar Grover explains, “It’s a Middle Eastern take on an Old Fashioned, with the mead adding complex honey notes to the mix.”

Conclusion: A New Chapter in Culinary Pairings

The art of pairing mead with Middle Eastern cuisine is still in its infancy, but it’s already producing exciting results. As Dubai continues to establish itself as a global culinary destination, the combination of this ancient beverage with the rich flavors of Middle Eastern food is creating a unique gastronomic experience that honors tradition while embracing innovation.

Whether you’re a long-time mead enthusiast or a curious foodie, exploring these pairings offers a new way to experience the diverse flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine. As mead production in the UAE continues to grow and evolve, we can expect even more exciting and unexpected pairings to emerge, further enriching Dubai’s vibrant culinary landscape.

In a city known for blending the old with the new, the pairing of mead with Middle Eastern cuisine is a fitting tribute to Dubai’s spirit of innovation and respect for tradition. It’s a culinary trend that’s not just about taste, but about creating memorable experiences that challenge perceptions and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the region.