Toum
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Toum is a fluffy, pungent garlic sauce from the Levant, traditionally made by emulsifying copious amounts of raw garlic with oil, lemon juice, and salt. It's a staple condiment in Lebanese and other Middle Eastern cuisines, often served with grilled meats, shawarma, or as a dip.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Toum is extremely high in fat due to its oil base, with minimal carbs or protein, and provides a strong dose of allicin from garlic. A typical 1-tablespoon serving contains roughly 100-120 calories, mostly from healthy fats.
💡 What's interesting
Its unique emulsion technique creates a creamy, stable texture without dairy or eggs, making it a vegan-friendly powerhouse. Culturally, it's prized for its intense garlic flavor, which is believed to have antimicrobial properties and is often used to balance rich, savory dishes.