Trip Planning
Moroccan Spices: Ras el Hanout, Saffron and How to Buy Them in the Souk
Published November 5, 2026 by Morocco Amazing Tours
The short answer: Moroccan cooking rests on cumin, ginger, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper and saffron, plus the house blend ras el hanout. Buy from busy spice shops, smell before you pay, choose small quantities in sealed bags, and be suspicious of very cheap saffron. Whole spices keep their aroma longest.
The essential Moroccan spices
| Spice | Local name | Used in |
|---|---|---|
| Cumin | Kamoun | Tagines, grilled meat, the salt-and-cumin dish on every table |
| Ginger | Skinjbir | Almost every tagine and harira |
| Sweet paprika | Tahmira | Kefta, fish, cooked salads |
| Turmeric | Kharkoum | Colour and warmth in stews |
| Cinnamon | Qarfa | Pastilla, sweet tagines with prunes, desserts |
| Black pepper | Elbezar | Everything savoury |
| Saffron | Zaafrane | Chicken tagine, couscous, festive dishes |
| Ras el hanout | "Head of the shop" | Lamb, game, couscous, rich tagines |
Ras el hanout, the shop's signature
The name means "head of the shop": each spice merchant's best blend. It can combine anywhere from about ten to more than twenty-five spices, such as cardamom, nutmeg, mace, cloves, allspice, ginger, pepper, cinnamon and dried rosebuds. No two are the same, which is half the fun: ask to smell a few before choosing.
Saffron: real or fake?
Morocco grows saffron around Taliouine in the Anti-Atlas. Real saffron is expensive because each crocus flower gives only three threads, picked by hand.
- Real threads are deep red, slightly trumpet-shaped at one end, and colour water slowly and evenly yellow-gold.
- Fakes (safflower, dyed corn silk or threads) are often brighter, uniform, and bleed red colour instantly.
- Very cheap "saffron" sold by the large bag is almost never real.
- Buy a small amount from a reputable shop or a cooperative.
How to buy spices in the souk
- Choose a busy shop where stock turns over quickly.
- Ask the price per 100 grams before anything is weighed.
- Smell and taste; good sellers expect it.
- Prefer whole cumin, coriander and cinnamon sticks; grind at home.
- Ask for vacuum-sealed or double-bagged packs for travel.
Haggling rules are in our souks guide. Spices are usually allowed in checked luggage, but check your home country's customs rules for food products.
Bring the flavours home
Pair your spices with a clay tagine and the recipes from a cooking class in Marrakech, and rediscover the dishes in our Moroccan food guide. On our private tours, drivers know honest spice shops in Marrakech, Fes and Rissani.
Frequently asked questions
What is ras el hanout made of?
It is a blend of about ten to more than twenty-five spices, often including cardamom, nutmeg, mace, cloves, ginger, pepper, cinnamon and rosebuds. Each merchant has a recipe.
How can I tell if Moroccan saffron is real?
Real threads are deep red, trumpet-shaped at one end and colour water slowly yellow-gold. Very cheap or instantly red-bleeding threads are usually fake.
What are the main spices in Moroccan cooking?
Cumin, ginger, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, saffron and the blend ras el hanout.
Can I take spices home from Morocco?
Usually yes in sealed packs in checked luggage, but check your own country's customs rules on food products.
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