Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re in Morocco, talking about food! When we visited Morocco, we had the opportunity to take a cooking class at Faim d’Epices. Thanks to our chef, Ilham, we learned so much about Moroccan cuisine. Because trying local cuisine is one of the best parts of travel, we wanted to share with you the best Moroccan food to eat when you visit Morocco.
Couscous
The most popular Moroccan food in Morocco and in Moroccan dishes around the world is couscous. Couscous is similar to rice or pasta in that is is a starchy base for your Moroccan meals. It is made of tiny balls of wheat that are steamed or boiled. On top of the couscous, you add seven vegetables and meat, which can be chicken, beef, lamb, or whatever you have on hand. This is NOT the instant couscous you might buy in your local American or European grocery store! A Moroccan couscous dish cooks for about three hours. Because of this, couscous is prepared in larger batches once a week.
Tajine
Tajine is a style of cooking that is done in a terra cotta pot. The name tells you how it’s prepared, but not necessarily what is in the dish. Think of it like “BBQ” or “casserole.” A tajine usually contains some kind of meat and vegetable, although you can also get vegetarian tajine.
Tajine is served with bread, which is used to eat the stew without using spoons or forks. It is similar to a stew and is usually served mid-day for lunch.
The Don’ts of Visiting Morocco
Seafood
If you are in Morocco near the coast, make sure you take advantage of the fresh seafood that is available. In many restaurants near the sea, you can buy your seafood directly from the market and have the restaurant prepare it for you. Sardines are a particularly popular fish to eat in Morocco. And yes, you can even have seafood tajine!
Harira
Another common Moroccan food you might see is Harira. This is a tomato-based soup that is thickened with chickpeas and/or lentils. Beef or lamb is also usually added to harira for extra heartiness.
Moroccan Desserts
Moroccan desserts are usually fruit-based, using dates, figs, or oranges. Moroccans don’t typically make cakes or cookies, but crepes with jam are a popular dessert. Many Moroccan desserts are just a sweet take on traditional Moroccan food, like couscous. Many times, fruit is served at the end of a meal for a simple, sweet ending.
Moroccan Beverages
One of Jocelyn’s favorite things to drink in Morocco is mint tea. Mint tea is served throughout the day in Morocco, and is also used as a “welcome drink.” It’s a social drink, similar to having a glass of wine with friends in the States. Although Morocco is a Muslim country and alcohol is not widespread, you will find some Moroccan wines and beers in some areas. Since fruit is so prevalent in Morocco, fruit juice, especially orange juice, is also a popular drink in Morocco.
Moroccan Flavors
Some common Moroccan flavors you’ll find include cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and orange blossom. Pears, prunes and other fruits are also used frequently in both sweet and savory varieties of Moroccan cuisine.
When Do You Eat in Morocco?
You may wonder when to eat when you visit Morocco. Breakfast is typically very early; in the countryside, they eat breakfast at around 5 am. In the city, breakfast is served around 7:30 or 8:00 in the morning. In the afternoon, there is usually tea time with light food such as bread, jam, and tea. Lunch is the main meal of the day and is often a tajine with bread and salad. Dinner in Morocco is served after the last prayer, which is at 8:00, and tends to be a lighter meal.
Want to make Moroccan food at home? Follow Faim D’Epices on YouTube!
Morocco is a great place to visit, with a unique cuisine to experience. Taking a cooking class in Marrakesh is definitely a cool way to learn about local cuisine and sample a ton of great food! As they say in Morocco, Besseha! (Bon Appetit!)
Looking for more tips on what to eat while traveling? Check out some of these other blog posts!