Why is it with Middle eastern food, you either love it or hate it?

Question

there are several people I've seen who love it, and others can barely stand it.

Answer 1

I love it more than my own country's food...

Answer 2

It tastes awesome to me. I don't know anyone who doesn't like it. I know some people think lamb tastes funny, but a lot of cultures use lamb in their cuisine.

Answer 3

I like the taste :)  but the smell is awful :(

Answer 4

probably the garlic and onions.

Middle eastern and mediterranean (and a lot of other countries...) is heavy on garlic/onions, and some people think it stinks; but others LOVE the flavor (like me!)

Answer 5

I dunno. It just smells funny to me. And I think how something smells makes a big difference to people.

Answer 6

duno but i am proud 2 say i am 1 who loves middle eastern food watever the smell.

Answer 7

I have never met anyone who didn't like it...just maybe didn't know how to cook it....

Answer 8

i guess its cuz they dont like middle easterners

i love the food

Answer 9

they have these stuff cabbage that is good  it has rice and chicken i think inside.

Answer 10

well like most ethnic cuisine it's different from what americans are used to and can have strong flavors.  i happen to really enjoy it, my husband isn't a huge fan but will go for the more generic dishes if we have it.

Answer 11

its the best for me.

Answer 12

sand

Answer 13

It's may because people have limited exposure to the variety of Arab food. I love a lot of Middle Eastern food but I am not a fan of stuffed vine leaves or of halawa or labneh.

Also if you grow up without smelling different spices the smell  can be too pungent.

I have found a similar reaction towards Indian curries. Some people love it some people puke at a whiff of it. The smell of the pungent spices and garlic used to flavor it may overwhelm more sensitive people.

Answer 14

i love middle eastern food

but some of it smells bad

Answer 15

For one, it's strong in pungent, polarizing flavors - garlic, coriander, peppers, onion, olives, pickled lemon (exactly what it sounds like), pomegranate and rose (common in desserts).

Secondly, Middle Eastern food is big on mixing sweet and savory.  Dates, raisins, and pomegranate seeds are found along side with garlic and onion in rice and fish dishes.  I've seen fried fish recipes that include rose water.  

That kind of thing is difficult for some, because, lets face it, a lot of fast, convenient food is more satiating than richly flavored (more about consumption than pure enjoyment), and we in the west tend to draw a very thick line, sadly, between sweet and savory.  

Years ago it was common to melt some cheddar over your apple pie, but if you do it now, people will think it's an accident!