Durum vs. Kebab — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 26, 2023
Durum is a type of wheat or a wrap-style kebab; Kebab refers to skewered, grilled meat dishes.
Difference Between Durum and Kebab
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Durum is primarily recognized as a high-protein species of wheat used to make pasta and bread. However, in some culinary contexts, "durum" can refer to a wrap made using flatbread filled with kebab ingredients. Kebab, on the other hand, is a broader term used to describe various grilled or roasted meat dishes, often skewered, that originate from Middle Eastern cuisines.
Durum wheat is known for its hard texture and is the primary wheat used in pasta production due to its high gluten strength and elasticity. In contrast, the term kebab encompasses a range of dishes from shish kebab (meat skewers) to doner kebab (rotating meat roast) and more.
In the context of food dishes, a durum typically consists of a thin, tortilla-like bread wrap filled with sliced meat, often from a kebab, and accompanied by various toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, and sauces.
Durum as a dish is a specific way to serve and eat kebab ingredients in a wrap form. Kebab, meanwhile, represents a more extensive range of dishes and preparations centered around meat, whether it's ground, sliced, or chunked, and then grilled or roasted.
While durum can also be associated with a type of grain, it's essential to understand the context in which the term is used. In contrast, kebab is universally understood to refer to specific meat dishes, although the exact type and preparation can vary based on regional differences.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
A type of wheat
Skewered, grilled meat dishes
Secondary Meaning
Wrap-style dish with kebab ingredients
N/A
Origin
Latin term for wheat
Middle Eastern cuisine
Ingredients
Wheat or kebab ingredients in wrap form
Primarily meat, vegetables on some variants
Versatility in Cuisine
Specific to certain dishes or grain
Encompasses a range of dishes
Compare with Definitions
Durum
A species of wheat known for its hard texture.
The pasta is made from 100% durum wheat semolina.
Kebab
Can be made with various meats, including chicken, lamb, and beef.
The mixed kebab platter offers a taste of chicken, beef, and lamb.
Durum
A type of flatbread used as a wrap for kebab ingredients.
I'll have a chicken durum with extra garlic sauce, please.
Kebab
A dish of skewered and grilled or roasted meat.
The lamb kebab was tender and full of flavor.
Durum
A dish consisting of kebab meat wrapped in flatbread.
After trying the various dishes, he decided the durum was his favorite.
Kebab
Meat dishes originating from Middle Eastern cuisines.
There are various types of kebabs, each with its unique marinade and preparation.
Durum
A high-protein wheat used in bread and pasta-making.
Only durum wheat is used in making authentic Italian pasta.
Kebab
Ground or chunked meat seasoned and cooked on a skewer or rotisserie.
The rotating kebab stand at the corner always attracts a crowd.
Durum
A wrap-style dish of Middle Eastern or Turkish origin.
The restaurant's durum is famous for its flavorful meat and fresh ingredients.
Kebab
Often served with pita, rice, or in a wrap.
She ordered a kebab plate with a side of rice and salad.
Durum
Durum wheat (), also called pasta wheat or macaroni wheat (Triticum durum or Triticum turgidum subsp. durum), is a tetraploid species of wheat.
Kebab
Kebabs are various cooked meat dishes with their origins in Middle Eastern cuisine. Numerous variants are popular around the world.
Durum
A type of wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum syn. T. durum) having hard grains with high protein and gluten content, thought to have been developed in the Middle East in the Neolithic period and now used chiefly in making pasta.
Kebab
A dish of pieces of meat, fish, or vegetables roasted or grilled on a skewer or spit.
Durum
Ellipsis of durum wheat
Durum pasta
Durum bread
Kebab
Shish kebab.
Durum
Wheat with hard dark-colored kernels high in gluten and used for bread and pasta; grown especially in southern Russia, North Africa, and northern central North America
Kebab
(British) A dish of pieces of meat, fish, or vegetables roasted on a skewer or spit, especially a doner kebab.
Kebab
(AU) A hand-held dish consisting of pieces of meat roasted on an upright skewer mixed with fresh vegetables and sauces and rolled up in a round piece of unleavened bread.
Kebab
(US) A shish kebab or any other food on a skewer.
Kebab
A restaurant that sells kebabs
Let's go to the kebab after the club.
Kebab
(chemistry) The outward growing portions of a shish kebab structure.
Kebab
A Muslim, usually of southern European, Middle Eastern, or North African descent.
Kebab
The vulva.
Kebab
(GUI) menu icon of three vertical dots
Kebab
(transitive) To roast in the style of a kebab
Kebab
To stab or skewer
Kebab
See kabab and kabob.
Kebab
Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables
Common Curiosities
Are kebabs always spicy?
Kebabs can range in spiciness based on the marinade and regional variation.
Can you eat durum as a vegetarian dish?
Yes, durum wraps can contain vegetarian fillings instead of kebab meat.
What meat is commonly used in kebabs?
Kebabs can use various meats, including chicken, lamb, beef, and sometimes fish.
Is durum wheat exclusively used for pasta?
While durum wheat is primary for pasta, it's also used in bread-making.
Is durum bread similar to pita?
Durum bread used for wraps is similar to pita but can be thinner and more pliable.
Is durum a type of kebab?
Durum can refer to a wrap-style dish with kebab ingredients, but it's also a type of wheat.
Can kebabs be baked instead of grilled?
Yes, while traditionally grilled, kebabs can also be baked or roasted.
Is kebab a Turkish or Middle Eastern dish?
Kebab has roots in both Turkish and broader Middle Eastern cuisines.
What is the primary use of durum wheat?
Durum wheat is mainly used for pasta due to its high gluten content.
How is a doner kebab different from a shish kebab?
Doner kebab is rotating roasted meat sliced off, while shish kebab is skewered chunks of meat.
Can durum be made at home?
Yes, durum wraps and fillings can be prepared at home with the right ingredients.
Are kebabs healthy?
Kebabs can be healthy when made with lean meats and accompanied by vegetables, but it varies based on preparation and ingredients.
What's the most popular type of kebab?
Popularity varies by region, but dishes like shish kebab and doner kebab are widely recognized.
Is durum available globally?
While durum as wheat is global, as a dish, it's more common in areas with Turkish or Middle Eastern influences.
Can I use durum flour in regular baking?
Yes, durum flour can be used in baking, but it has unique properties due to its high protein content.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
