Armenian cuisine includes traditional Armenian food and beverages, as well as Armenian cooking techniques. The cuisine reflects the history and geography of where Armenians have lived and where Armenian empires existed. The cuisine also reflects the traditional crops and animals grown and raised in Armenian-populated, or controlled areas. The preparation of meat, fish, and vegetable dishes in an Armenian kitchen often requires stuffing, stewing, grilling, baking, boiling and puréeing. Lamb, eggplant, and bread (lavash) are basic features of Armenian cuisine. Armenians traditionally prefer cracked wheat to maize and rice. The flavor of the food often relies on the quality and freshness of the ingredients rather than on excessive use of spices.