Falafel is basically a fritter that’s native to the Middle East. These fritters are shaped like a ball or a patty and are deep-fried. The falafels are made from broad beans and/or ground chickpeas.
These fritters are served in pita and act as samoon or pocket. In addition, they are topped with hot sauce, salad, and pickled vegetables.
These fritters are served on a meze tray or as a snack. However, many people have been asking why the falafel is green inside and we are here to share the details!
Falafels Are Green Inside – What Does It Mean?
It is normal for the falafels’ internal side to be green, and in fact, they can be extremely green. That’s because the falafels have mint, dill, and parsley.
In addition, green falafels are popular in Palestine, Iraq, and Jordan, and the level of greenness depends on the spices and condiments used.
Having said that, the green inside of the falafel doesn’t mean that falafels are spoiled or rotten.
What Are Falafels?
Falafels are Middle-Eastern fast food and are made with a combination of ground chickpeas, spices, and fresh herbs, which are formed into balls or patties.
It’s one of the most popular vegan food options and is served in the form of sandwiches with Mediterranean salad and tahini sauce. In addition, it’s served with fried and/or roasted eggplants.
In addition, the fritters are spiced with parsley, mint, coriander, and dill, which results in the green appearance of falafels.
The Shelf Life Of Falafels
Falafels are extremely popular and people who love them often consider the right way of storing them, be it in cooked or raw forms. Proper storage is essential to retain the texture of falafels.
If the falafels are kept in the refrigerator, they should last for around four days – it slows down the infestation or spread of bacteria in the food and makes sure the food lasts a long time.
Before you make the falafel mixture, you have the option to store them at room temperature as long as the expiration date doesn’t pass (the expiration date is mentioned on the packet).
Storage Of Falafels
While it’s clear that a green interior doesn’t indicate spoilage in falafels, it’s important to ensure the correct storage of these fritters and we have mentioned different methods below;
- Storing Dry Falafels
If you have purchased the ready-made falafel that comes in a box, you can store them at room temperature, but if the box has been opened, you must transfer the fritter into an airtight container.
Using an airtight container will help reduce the airflow to the fritters, which eliminates the chances of bacterial buildup and spoilage.
The ready-made falafels are kept fresh when they are dry and exposure to moisture can result in quick deterioration, which makes them unsafe to consume.
For this reason, you should select a dry and cool cabinet for storing the dry falafels – there must be no exposure to water or moisture.
The dry falafel will remain fresh at room temperature by the expiration date. On the other hand, if the dry falafels smell off or musty, they must be discarded.
- Storing The Mixed Falafel
In case you have already added water to the dry mixture, make sure you store the mixture in a refrigerator – the refrigerator’s temperature should be below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
The wet mixture should be used within four days. You can store the uncooked as well as a cooked wet mixture in the refrigerator but be prompt about it.
In addition, it’s recommended that you use an airtight container to store the mixture and make sure it’s sealed. Once sealed, put the container in the refrigerator.
That’s because improver covering can lead to extra-dry texture, which means the fritters will crack when they are fried. However, if you won’t use it within four days, it’s better to freeze it.
- Storing Cooked Falafel
The cooked falafel must be cooled down before you put it in the refrigerator. The cooked falafels are vulnerable to bacteria if you store them at room temperature, which is why refrigeration is recommended.
To refrigerate them, you’ve to spread the falafel balls on the tray, and once they are cooled down, put them into an airtight container and refrigerate them.
Keep in mind that cooked falafel shouldn’t be kept at room temperature for too long because it exposes them to bacteria and causes textural damage.
Tips To Make Falafel
Falafels are extremely delicious but many beginners struggle to make fritters, which is why we are sharing some tips to help you make the best falafels;
- Make sure you use dry chickpeas but make sure they were soaked in water for over 24 hours. It helps ensure the best flavor and texture. The dry chickpeas have a starchy texture and help ensure the correct formation of falafels
- It is a big no if you want to use canned chickpeas because they can disintegrate during the frying process
- Make sure the falafel mixture is chilled for at least an hour before frying, as it helps retain the shape. In fact, you can make the mixture the night before and chill it overnight
- Add baking powder to the mixture before you make patties and balls because it helps create a fluffy texture – this is because baking powder acts as a raising agent
- Fry the balls or patties in the bubbling oil and make sure the saucepan isn’t crowded. It’s recommended that you deep-fry the falafels. As far as the oil is concerned, you can use the deep-fry safe thermometer to ensure the oil is 375 degrees Fahrenheit
- You can use a salad spinner to remove moisture from the soaked chickpeas because the mixture shouldn’t have too much moisture
- Adding too many patties or balls in the saucepan isn’t recommended because it will drop the oil’s temperature and you need bubbling hot oil to fry them
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that green falafels are caused by spices and herbs used in the mixture. However, if the falafels have a soft texture or an off flavor, it’s better that you discard them.