Marrakesh’s bustling markets with a strong aura of globally famed Moroccan spices welcome you to life in Morocco. Nothing in North Africa beats the craze that Morocco fills your heart with once you are in its tourist city of, Marrakech. Not that its capital Casablanca, Rabat and Fez cities respectively are boring. They also have a wonder pack for you in the most surprising ways. The most intriguing things about Morocco lie in its dishes, cooking, and markets. These are what make life amazing and desirable here. Let’s look at what you should expect while in Morocco.
Table of Contents
What Food Makes Life in Morocco Amazing?
Life in Morocco starts and ends with food. Moroccan cuisine is a diverse and rich reflection of Moroccan culture and history that hugely appeals to visitors. Here are the cultural dishes in Morocco
Couscous
Moroccan couscous. Photo/The Spruce Eats
You know you are in Morocco when you taste couscous, one of Morocco’s staple foods prepared from Semolina grains. They are fluffed, then steamed, and served as an accompaniment to meat or vegetable stew.
Tagines
Tagines in Morocco. Photo/The Spruce Eats
Meat, fruits and vegetables complete this delicious dish. It’s cooked using a conically shaped vessel known as the tagine dating back centuries ago. This vessel ensures that the meat and vegetable retain moisture during cooking and become tender. Tagines often accompany couscous at the dining table.
Mint Tea
Moroccan mint tea. Photo/Moroccan Food Tour
Mint tea is a kind gesture of life in Morocco. Guests always get it in every household they enter as a form of hospitality. Ideally, fresh mint leaves and green tea leaves with some sugar to sweeten the drink make up this ever-present beverage in Morocco. Interestingly, you pour the mint tea from high up into a cup to foam and retain the unique flavour.
Moroccan Spices
A Moroccan dish contains a blended mix of Moroccan spices with an intricate and delicious flavour. Cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, ginger, paprika, and saffron, among others, make up ras el hanout. Ras el hanout is a blend of at least 30 different ingredients, and its flavour is boldly vibrant. Every Moroccan dish; be it vegetables or meat stew contains the rich taste of Moroccan spices.
Spicy food underscores culinary and cultural significance in Morocco. The complex flavours they create carry on a centuries-old tradition that define Morocco’s culture. They are also a show of hospitality to guests and contain medicinal and healing properties. Ginger, for example, helps reduce inflammation and helps in digestion. Overall, the Moroccan spice culture is passed on to generations and celebrated through cooking and the annual Fes Festival of World Sacred Music.
What are the Famous Moroccan Street Foods?
What is life in Morocco without its tasty street food? It oozes a vibrant flavour coupled with a unique blend of spices. These are some of the most famous Moroccan street foods you will bump into.
Tagine
Tagine is a stew prepared with tender-cooked meat and vegetables with a dash of Moroccan spices. What stands out is the conically-shaped Tangine pot that cooks the stew. This shape goes back to ages ago.
Couscous
Semolina grains give you couscous once you steam and fluff them. Couscous is a common dish across Moroccan households, so you easily find it in the streets served with meat and vegetables or tagine.
B’stilla
If you are in Marrakesh, B’stilla is a must-taste. Phyllo dough accompanied by spicy chicken or pigeon meat with a dashing of cinnamon and sugar layer this pastry.
Harira
Are you a soup lover? Harira is for you. Chickpeas, lentils, tomatoes and a blend of spices create a healthy soup popular when breaking fast during Ramadan.
Kefta
This Moroccan meatball is prepared from ground lamb or beef and garnished with Moroccan spices. They are later grilled to attain a crispy taste and serve as an accompaniment for couscous.
Sfenj
Sfenj is an authentic Moroccan doughnut served while still hot with sugar sprinkles over breakfast.
Marrakesh Tour
Marrakesh Tour. Photo/GetYourGuide
A tour of Marrakesh completes life in Morocco. For every visitor, it is an unforgettable and immersive experience letting you explore the width and breadth of Morocco’s tourist capital. Expect a visit to the following places in Marrakesh.
The Medina in Marrakesh – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous and historic parts of the city. Other places you will also visit include the following.
- Koutoubia Mosque
- Bahia Palace
- Saadian Tombs
- Marrakesh Gardens
- Menara Gardens
- Majorelle Garden
Conclusion
Food, culture and the warmth of the Moroccan people make travelling worthwhile. Their rich culture decked on its cuisine, and generally, how they live makes life in Morocco awesome.
