Falafel is a deep-fried ball or patty-shaped fritter that most likely originated in Egypt. It is traditionally made from ground fava beans, chickpeas, or a combination of both, mixed with herbs and spices before frying
. The earliest references to falafel date back to 19th-century Egyptian sources, although it is speculated that its history may extend to Pharaonic Egypt
. The dish spread from Egypt, particularly from the port city of Alexandria, northwards to the Levant region (including Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria), where chickpeas became the more common base ingredient instead of fava beans
. Today, falafel is a popular street food throughout the Middle East and has also become widely recognized as a national dish in Israel, where it was brought by Jewish immigrants from Arab countries
. In summary, falafel originates from Egypt and is a staple of Middle Eastern cuisine, especially in the Levant, with both Arab and Israeli cultures embracing it as a traditional food
