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Food and Drink in Algeria
Traditional Algerian food shows the historic influences of Berber, Arab, Turkish, and French tastes. It can be mild or very spicy and many flavourings are used. Algiers and popular coastal towns have a fair selection of good restaurants, serving mainly French and Italian-style food, though even classic dishes will have an unmistakable Algerian quality. Fish dishes are exceptionally good.
Specialities:
• Stalls sell brochettes (kebabs) in French bread and covered in a spicy sauce.
• Couscous, a semolina-like pasta made from cracked wheat, is a staple food in Algeria and throughout North Africa.
• Chickpea-cakes make a cheap and tasty accompaniment for food.
• Stews like shakshuka, with vegetables, and tajine, with lamb or chicken, are popular everyday dishes.
• The traditional diet of desert nomads is based on couscous and the meat of the sheep or goats they herd. When travelling, desert people carry pressed dates or figs, and hard cheese, which keeps for a long time.
Things to know:
Alcohol is only available in more expensive restaurants and hotels, as well as from special shops. There are no licensing hours and hotel bars tend to stay open for as long as there is custom. Algeria produces some good wines but very few of them are served in the country itself. Alcohol is generally very expensive and not of great quality – expect non-name brands and a small choice.
Tipping:
10% is usual in Algiers and larger cities. Elsewhere it is not customary.
Regional drinks:
As in much of North Africa and the Middle East, refreshing, golden-coloured mint tea and strong, sweet coffee (sometimes called Turkish coffee) are drunk wherever people gather to talk and relax, a legacy of French rule.
If available, try Medea, Mansourah and Mascara red wines and Medea, Mascara and Lismara rosés.
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Even short-haul trips carry risks
Visit your GP surgery/Travel Clinic to stay healthy on holiday. This is an educational initiative from GlaxoSmithKline Travel Health UK/MARK/0207a/10 January 2011
Spot the holiday killer
Protect yourself from malaria. Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone. (An educational initiative organised and funded by GlaxoSmithKline Travel Health. UK/MARK/0173/10 September 2010) www.malariahotspots.co.uk
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