Ibn Sayyar al-Warraq facts for kids

Abū Muḥammad al-Muẓaffar ibn Naṣr ibn Sayyār al-Warrāq, often called al-Warraq, was an Arab writer from Baghdad. He put together a famous cookbook in the 10th century. This book is called the Kitāb al-Ṭabīkh (Arabic: كتاب الطبيخ, The Book of Dishes). It is the oldest known Arabic cookbook. It has more than 600 recipes, organized into 132 chapters.

Discovering the Book of Dishes

The Kitāb al-Ṭabīkh is the oldest Arabic cookbook that we still have today. Al-Warraq wrote it in the 10th century. He gathered recipes from the royal kitchens of the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad. This was a powerful empire in the 8th and 9th centuries.

Some experts believe al-Warraq wrote this book for a special reason. They think he might have created it for a prince named Sayf al-Dawla. This prince wanted his own court in Aleppo to be as famous as Baghdad's. The cookbook helped show off the amazing food and culture of the time.

What Kinds of Recipes Are Inside?

The book includes many different kinds of dishes. Some recipes are simple, like ʿaṣīda. This is a sweet porridge made with dates, similar to food from the Arabian Peninsula.

But the book also has recipes for very fancy stews. Many of these stews have Persian names, showing influences from other cultures. There is even a whole section about nabaṭiyyāt. These are hearty stews that came from the 'Nabataean' people in Iraq.

Learning from the Past: Translations

Because this cookbook is so important, parts of it or the whole book have been translated. People around the world can now read these ancient recipes. Some of the translators include:

• Nawal Nasrallah, who made an annotated translation.
• Lilia Zaouali, who chose about two dozen recipes.
• Sabrina Favaro, who translated some into Italian.
• David Waines, who also selected some recipes.

See also

In Spanish: Ibn Sayyar al-Warraq para niños