What is ras el hanout?

What is ras el hanout? What is is used for? Where does it come from?

What is ras el hanout?

Ras el hanout [rahs el hun-NOOT] is a Moroccan spice blend noted for its rich aroma. Meaning “top of the shop,” its name implies that it’s the spice store’s own version and their best blend. It’s considered somewhat exotic with a mix of up to 50 ingredients — sweet, savory, and spicy.

A typical ras el hanout mixture includes cardamom, cumin, coriander, nutmeg, mace, allspice, cinnamon, clove, ginger, chiles, peppercorns, paprika, turmeric, anise, rose buds, and lavender. You can find it at Williams-Sonoma and Amazon.com. McCormick also sells it.

Try it in our Ras El Hanout Turkey & Fig on Naan

Tags: Q&A

Product Recommendations

Interested in cooking? Need some supplies?

Check out some of the tools we like. All products featured on Cuisine at Home are independently selected by our editors; we may earn an affiliate commission from qualifying purchases through our links.