Lebanese cuisine has been influenced by its Mediterranean coastline and traders from ancient civilizations like the Phoenicians, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Crusaders, French and Ottomans. Common ingredients include wheat, rice, meat, seafood, vegetables, dairy, nuts, and fresh herbs. Popular dishes include flatbread, mezze, baba ghanoush, shish taouk, falafel, and kibbeh. Recent food trends in Lebanon include the rise of Asian and Brazilian restaurants and increased awareness of reducing food waste.