Women have played the primary role as guardians of mouneh, preserving ingredients, cooking techniques, family legacies, and “trade secrets.” Their expertise has shaped the culinary identity of Lebanon as well as Palestine, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and beyond, ensuring the continuity of local traditions despite deep political, economic, and social transformations. In the age of social media, younger generations and artisanal producers are engaging with these practices, helping them persist and take on new forms.
