North Africa · Soup
Chorba Frik (Cracked Green Wheat and Tomato Soup)
A rich, velvety tomato and lamb broth thickened with smoky green durum wheat and brightened with fresh mint and lemon.
The story
Chorba Frik is the revered herald of sunset across Tunisia during the holy month of Ramadan, served nightly to gently revive fasting families. Rooted in ancient Berber cereal farming, the soup centers on frik, young green durum wheat that is fire-roasted in the field and coarsely cracked. Cooks rely on blooming concentrated tomato paste and caraway-coriander tabil in hot olive oil before adding liquids, developing a deeply caramelized, savory backbone.
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