Basterma

Basterma has been produced in Alexandria for at least 200 years. It is a cured meat product that can be made with beef, buffalo or even camel meat. In addition to the rich, deep umami flavour, basterma’s taste profile is affected by the fenugreek and garlic-based paste with which it is coated. There are three main steps to processing basterma: salting, pressing, and drying and ripening.

It is an everyday meat which can be eaten alone, in sandwiches, cooked with eggs, to list a few uses. Basterma is produced on small and large industrial scales, and it is sold in local markets, urban bazaars and markets, shops and minimarkets, online shops, retail chains and hotels.