RAS EL HANOUT

Origin & Special Features

Ras el Hanout is one of the most well-known and fascinating spice blends from North African cuisine, particularly from Morocco. The name means "Chef's Special" and refers to the fact that this blend plays a very special role in traditional Moroccan cuisine—it contains the best and finest spices available from the spice merchant. With at least 49 to 57 different spices, depending on the season, Ras el Hanout offers incredible variety and depth. The blend contains everything from rose petals to paradise pepper, lending any dish a complex, sweet, and aromatic flavor.

Taste & Aroma

Ras el Hanout is known for its distinctive flavor, which combines both sweet and spicy aromas. The blend contains spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cumin, and turmeric, which provide spicy warmth, while rose petals, pepper, and sometimes vanilla and nutmeg add a floral sweetness and subtle complexity. The aroma is both earthy and floral, and the blend has a pleasant depth that makes any dish a true delight.

Application

This versatile blend is traditionally used in tagines—a Moroccan casserole dish—for meat, fish, or vegetable dishes. The blend is great for enhancing savory flavors in stews, braised dishes, or rice dishes. To create a delicious tagine, mix 1 teaspoon of ras el hanout per person with dried apricots, sliced onions, blanched almonds, and your favorite meat or vegetables. Cook in a tagine or regular casserole dish, add stock, and simmer until the meat or vegetables are tender. You can also use ras el hanout in lamb dishes, couscous, or even vegetable tagine.

Health benefits

Ras el Hanout not only offers incredible flavor, but also health benefits thanks to the many different spices in the blend. Cumin promotes digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties. Cardamom and cinnamon support blood sugar regulation, while ginger is known for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, this blend is not only a flavor enhancer but also a healthy choice for your meals.

Ingredients

Rose petals, paradise pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cumin, turmeric, nutmeg, pepper, cloves, vanilla, coriander, mustard seeds, paprika and many more.