Burbara (Wheat Berry Pudding) is a traditional Middle Eastern wheat-based porridge. It is particularly prepared for Saint Barbara’s Feast Day (Eid Al-Burbara عيد البربارة), which is celebrated on December 4 in Palestinian Christian communities.
The vegan dish is typically made by cooking whole wheat grains (wheat berry قمح) until tender, then sweetened with sugar and flavored with spices like cinnamon, fennel, and anise. It is often garnished with nuts, raisins, pomegranate seeds, or dried fruits, making it both comforting and festive.
Burbara is a warm, soupy dessert I grew up enjoying every December 4th in celebration of Saint Barbara’s Day. This tradition originates from the story of Saint Barbara, who disguised herself in various ways to escape Roman persecution. As she often hid in wheat fields during her journey, this wheat-based dessert is prepared to honor her legacy on this meaningful day.
Christian families across Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan celebrate Saint Barbara’s Day yearly with cherished traditions. In our neighborhood, every family would prepare their own version of burbara and share plates with one another.
The highlight of the celebration was always the friendly debate over whose burbara was the best that year. Naturally, in our household, my mother’s burbara always came out on top—her recipe was simply unbeatable!
Wheat berries are the main ingredient in this recipe and hold a special symbolic meaning for some Christians. They are considered a symbol of life, as a single wheat berry, when planted, has the potential to grow and produce countless more seeds.
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What is the Story Behind St. Barbara?
St. Barbara is a Christian saint and martyr venerated in various traditions, particularly in the Middle East, Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholic churches. Her story is rooted in legend, and she is celebrated for her faith and courage in the face of persecution.
Barbara was born in the 3rd century in Nicomedia (modern-day Turkey) to a wealthy pagan father named Dioscorus. She was known for her beauty and intelligence.
Despite being raised in a pagan household, Barbara secretly converted to Christianity. Her newfound faith led her to reject the societal norms of her time, including an arranged marriage.
To protect her from Christian influence or possibly to punish her for her refusal to marry, her father locked her in a tower. In some versions of the story, Barbara had a third window added to the tower, symbolizing the Holy Trinity.
When her father discovered her Christian faith, he handed her over to Roman authorities. Barbara endured severe torture but remained steadfast. Ultimately, she was beheaded by her father, who was struck by lightning immediately after her death—a sign of divine retribution.
Equipment
- Pot - for cooking burbara
- Small Serving Plates
Ingredients
Full ingredients, measurements, and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Wheat Berry - Are a whole grain! These kernels are the foundation of all flour. They are whole wheat kernels—thick, short grains resembling brown rice. When boiled, cooked wheat berries have a chewy texture and a subtle, nutty, earthy flavor. They are perfect for both sweet and savory dishes, adding depth and heartiness to any meal.
Cinnamon Stick and Anise Star (optional) - Adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the wheat berries during cooking.
Cinnamon, Anise, and Fennel Powder: These spices infuse the dish with warm, earthy, and aromatic flavors that make it uniquely comforting and flavorful. Ground Anise and Fennel can be found in the spices section at any Middle Eastern grocery store.
Granulated Sugar - for sweetening, you can use stevia or add honey after serving.
Raisins - You have the option to add raisins during cooking for a softer texture, or keep them uncooked and use them as a garnish for added texture and flavor.
Toppings
- Blanched almonds
- Pine nuts
- Walnuts
- Shredded unsweetened coconut
- Pomegranate seeds
Instructions
Step 1 | Place the wheat berries in a bowl, cover them completely with water, and let them soak overnight or for up to 8 hours.
Step 2 | Rinse thoroughly, then place the wheat berry in a pot and cover with water. Add cinnamon sticks and anise star
Step 3 | Let the wheat berry simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the seeds have softened. Stir in the spices, and sugar, and allow to simmer for an additional 3–5 minutes.
Step 4 | Pour in serving plates. Serve hot or warm, garnished with nuts for added flavor and texture.
Substitutions and Variations
- Use other dried fruits, apricots, dates, or cranberries.
- Use pistachios or any other nuts.
- You can omit the dried fruits fully.
- For natural sugar use honey, or stevia.
Storage
- Store uncooked wheat berries in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to a year.
- Burbara can be refrigerated for up to 4-7 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- You can enjoy it cold, but if you prefer it warm you can reheat a portion. Place it in a small skillet, and for soupier consistency, add ¼ cup of boiled water, cover, and warm on low heat for 10-15 minutes.
Expert Tips
- To maintain their texture and freshness, nuts, dried fruits, coconut, and pomegranate seeds should be added just before serving.
- Make sure to add raisins halfway through the cooking process to prevent them from becoming overly softened.
- If you prefer uncooked raisins, simply use them as a garnish.
- Wheat berry tends to absorb water quickly, so don’t be alarmed if it overcooks and the water starts to dry out. You can always add more water—boiled water is recommended for this step.
- This adjustment can also be made when reheating the dish.
- Sweet candied fennel seeds and chickpeas are commonly used either next to the dish or on top.
- Keep in mind that the spices and dried fruits will also add natural sweetness to the dish, so adjust the sugar thoughtfully.
- If you prefer burbara to be less soupy cut the amount of water, using 3 cups instead of 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all—Burbara is delicious on its own! The fruit garnish adds a chewy texture, while the nuts bring a satisfying crunch that complements the tender wheat berries, creating a delightful balance of flavors and textures. If you have any nut allergies, feel free to omit the nuts entirely.
Yes, they are very nutritious! They are high in fiber, which supports digestion. They are also a good source of protein, keeping you full longer, and rich in vitamins (B vitamins, magnesium, and iron).
No, wheat berries contain gluten because they are the whole kernels of wheat. Therefore, they are unsuitable for individuals with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. But you can substitute for brown rice.
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More Delicious Recipes
Burbara (Wheat Berry Pudding)
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: Soaking : 8 hours
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Levant/Palestinian
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Burbara (Wheat Berry Pudding) is a traditional Middle Eastern wheat-based porridge. It is particularly prepared for Saint Barbara’s Feast Day (Eid Al-Burbara عيد البربارة), which is celebrated on December 4 in Palestinian Christian communities.
The vegan dish is typically made by cooking whole wheat grains (wheat berry قمح) until tender, then sweetened with sugar and flavored with spices like cinnamon, fennel, and anise. It is often garnished with nuts, raisins, pomegranate seeds, or dried fruits, making it both comforting and festive.
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Uncooked Wheat Berry
- 4 Cups of Tap Water
- 2 Cinamon Sticks and 2 Anise Stars: If you're only using cinnamon powder, it should be sufficient to infuse the dish with a warm, earthy flavor.
- ½ Teaspoon Cinnamon Powder
- 2 Teaspoons Anise Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Fennel Powder
- ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar (adjust to taste)
Toppings
- Walnuts
- Pine Nuts
- Blanched Almonds
- Raisins
- Pomegranate Seeds
Instructions
- Place the wheat berries in a bowl, cover them completely with water, and let them soak overnight or for up to 8 hours.
- When ready to cook, rinse thoroughly, then place the wheat berry in a pot and cover with water. Add cinnamon sticks and anise star.
- Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low.
- Cover the pot and let the wheat berry simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the seeds have softened, stir occasionally to avoid the wheat berry sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Halfway through cooking, add the raisins if you prefer them soft and cooked; otherwise, save them for garnish.
- Stir in the spices, and sugar, and allow to simmer uncovered for an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve hot or warm, garnished with nuts for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- To maintain their texture and freshness, nuts, dried fruits, coconut, and pomegranate seeds should be added just before serving.
- Make sure to add raisins halfway through the cooking process to prevent them from becoming overly softened.
- If you prefer uncooked raisins, simply use them as a garnish.
- Wheat berry tends to absorb water quickly, so don’t be alarmed if it overcooks and the water starts to dry out. You can always add more water—boiled water is recommended for this step.
- This adjustment can also be made when reheating the dish.
- Sweet candied fennel seeds and chickpeas are commonly used either next to the dish or on top.
- Keep in mind that the spices and dried fruits will also add natural sweetness to the dish, so adjust the sugar thoughtfully.
- If you prefer burbara to be less soupy cut the amount of water, using 3 cups instead of 4.
John josef costandi says
thanks for your burbara recipe
Wafa Shami says
You are welcome!
Maureen Bagali says
Happy St. Burbara! Enjoy the sweet dish
Wafa Shami says
Thank you. Same to you.
Melanie says
Yummy. Thank you! I have my late grandma's recipe but it never turns out like she made it so I want to give this a go in case some of the details I captured years back were incorrect. Thank youj.
Wafa Shami says
Hi Melanie, good luck, let me know how it goes.
Sawsan says
Thank you so much for this recipe, it brought me back to my childhood and when my mother used to make it.
Wafa Shami says
Hi Sawasan, thanks for the review, you are welcome!