Madaba, known for the Church of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, is a city with a rich cultural and religious heritage. The food history of the area is deeply intertwined with its Middle Eastern roots, influenced by various civilizations that have traded with or conquered the region, such as the Nabateans, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. This culinary melange is evident in the use of ingredients like olives, dates, wheat, and lentils, which have been staples in the Jordanian diet for centuries. Traditional culinary techniques such as grilling, baking in wood-fired ovens, and cooking in large communal pots are still widely practiced today.