A few days ago, our famous “Man’ouché” was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO as an emblematic culinary practice in Lebanon.
The man’ouché recipe is widely recognized and distinguished by the interplay of its ingredients, intricately linked to the essentiality of Lebanon.
Wheat, olives, zaatar, sumac, and sesame serve as foundational elements, sourced and cultivated in the Levant for over 6,000 years.
In Lebanon, the scent of freshly baked man’ouché is a symbol of shared traditions and communal experiences. It brings people together, fostering a sense of unity and connection through the appreciation of a beloved culinary heritage.
Many bakeries in Batroun sell delicious man’ouché many of them kneads, bakes and serves man’ouché for more than 100 years.
Among the famous families involved in this practice are the Merchak Family who own two bakeries in Batroun.
The first is “Furn Merchak”, a historic address in Batroun, founded in 1868. From a simple bakery offering only bread, the brand diversified in 1975 by launching into the manufacture of manakich.
The other is “Mankouchet Merchak”, relaunched in 2020, Mankouchet Merchak carries their family’s secret recipes and favored baked-from-scratch doughs.
Both serve specialties based on zaatar and cheese, but also eggs, falafels and soujouk.
Abroad, the aroma of man’ouché evokes nostalgia among the Lebanese diaspora, acting as a sensory link to their cultural roots, transcending geographical boundaries, and becoming a social and emotional bridge that binds individuals through a shared appreciation for the flavors and memories it represents.
For a delicious man’ouché in Batroun, make sure to check our listings page.
Catherine is a young journalist who has a deep enthusiasm for her work. She has a passion for storytelling and a commitment to delivering news and information.
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