Two Merion Station families have joined forces to make one of their staple cultural dishes: labneh, a tangy, slightly salty dip or spread, writes Alicia Vitarelli for 6abc.
They named their local version “Loveneh” in homage to Philadelphia’s “City of Brotherly Love” nickname.
“Labneh is not that well known in the U.S., but it’s very well known in other parts of the world,” said Emiliano Tatar, owner of Merion Park Cheese Co. “It’s a Middle Eastern/Armenian/Balkan dish.”
Tatar and his wife Lori are pediatricians and self-proclaimed “cheese doctors” who love to experiment with various dairy products for their other business. They teamed up with the Fereshetian family, who have been making authentic Armenian Erivan yogurt for over 50 years.
“My mother started Erivan in her kitchen 55 years ago,” said Paul Fereshetian. “Ours is very distinct. It’s very tangy. It’s much more tart than people often will expect.”
Erivan is used as the base for Loveneh. It is available at many local markets and major retailers like Whole Foods. Some restaurants across the region also use it in their dishes.
For both families, Loveneh represents more than just a spread – it is a way to share their culture with others.
Read more about Merion Station’s Loveneh, the Middle Eastern delicacy at 6abc.
