Home UNESCO Lists Intangible Cultural Heritage Intangible Cultural Heritage in Lebanon Al-Man’ouché, an Emblematic Culinary Practice in Lebanon

Al-Man’ouché, an Emblematic Culinary Practice in Lebanon

Al-Man’ouché, an Emblematic Culinary Practice in Lebanon

Al-Man’ouché is a staple Lebanese breakfast flatbread, made with dough topped with thyme, sumac, sesame seeds, salt, and olive oil. Additional toppings may include labne, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and mint.
Prepared by both men and women, it's a family affair in homes and small bakeries, with tasks often divided by gender. The dough preparation is accompanied by prayers for its rise, blending cultural and religious practices.
The craft of making Al-Man’ouché, including its toppings, is passed down informally within families. Its distinctive aroma and the communal act of making and enjoying it foster social connections during traditional morning gatherings.
Moreover, its sale in bakeries aids local economic development.
Al-Man’ouché, an Emblematic Culinary Practice in Lebanon was inscribed in 2023 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Lebanon.
by Alpha, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
by Serge Melki (cropped), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
by Elie.ghob, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Al-Man’ouché, an Emblematic Culinary Practice in Lebanon

Date of Inscription

2023