Culinary Controversy Erupts: Morocco and Algeria Clash Over Origin of Kalb el-louz Dessert

After the stormy controversy over Sellou, a dish that Algeria wants to appropriate, it is the origin of Kalb el-louz that divides Algerians and Moroccans on the web. This sweet pastry is at the heart of a controversy following a presumed "error" committed by Carrefour in one of its catalogs of Mediterranean products, reports TSA Algérie.

Algerian Internet users and influencers denounced the presentation of this dish with a map of Morocco, suggesting that this cake is part of the culinary heritage of the kingdom. "This is serious what is happening. We are being plundered of our heritage. What is your project behind this cultural appropriation?" indignantly reacted an Algerian influencer.

"Kalb el louz is a traditional Algerian pastry, originating from the Constantine region. Carrefour, what are you playing at? You put in your Mediterranean catalog the qalb el-louz, which is a pure Algerian product, with another map that is absolutely not Algerian," deplored the Algerian content creator who considers it "totally unacceptable to wrongly attribute this pastry to Morocco" and calls on the French brand to "rectify without delay" this "lie".

The publication sparked a flood of reactions on the web. On X, many Algerian Internet users cry out against the plundering of the culinary heritage of their country for the benefit of Morocco. "We must boycott this brand, but we must also restore the true origin of this cake," reacted one of them. "Kalb el Louz is 100% an Algerian pastry!" wrote another. For other Algerian Internet users, "the Kalb El Louz we know in North Africa originates from the Middle East where it is called Basboussa, Nemoura or Harissa. It is not specific to our country".