Middle Eastern food is rich, tangy, hot, sweet, and spicy. The food is a blend of African, European, North American, and local food. Wheat actually originated in the Middle East and was first grown there. The staple foods are pomegranates, barley, wheat, pistachios, dates, and figs. Chicken, fruits, and rice were introduced by the Persians during the Persian Empire. Arabs brought ingredients such as dates, figs, and nuts. Indians incorporated spices such as cumin, garlic, and turmeric into Middle Eastern recipes. The Mongols introduced dumplings. Black pepper and cloves were brought from the Spice Islands, while tomatoes came from North America. Okra was brought to the Middle East from African countries, and the Turks introduced desserts and pastries. But different countries were not the only ones who contributed to Middle Eastern cuisine. Religion had a major influence as well. Lamb and chicken became the primary meats in the Middle East since pork is not consumed by Muslims and Jews. Also wine is not popular because the Quran forbids the consumption of alcohol. Food in the Middle East is not complete without hummus, which is a spread made from garbanzo beans. Another popular food is tahini, a paste made ground sesame seeds. It is used to make a dish called baba ghanoush. Baba ghanoush is a famous dish that consists of eggplants, garlic, vinegar, lemon juice, and tahini. Coffee is also indispensable in the Middle East and is frequently consumed.