What is couscous? The golden grain of Levantine cuisine

What is couscous? – I am often asked this question during my cooking courses when someone is asked to prepare a portion of it. Couscous refers to both the dish and the small, grainy balls of semolina that form the basis. You can find out all about this versatile grain product here.

How is couscous made?

Couscous originally comes from North Africa, from the so-called Maghreb countries, and is made from wheat in a similar way to bulgur. More precisely, they are made from durum wheat semolina, a coarser flour. However, the wheat pellets can also be made from millet or barley.

Bulgur and couscous are often confused, but the wheat products differ in a few ways. You can find out more about this in the article Difference between bulgur and couscous.

Traditionally, couscous is made from durum wheat semolina. Mixed by hand and sometimes with a little flour, the semolina is spread out on a large surface and sprinkled with salt water. This creates small lumps, which in turn are rubbed between the palms of the hands and turn into small balls. The semolina balls are then laid out in the sun to dry. In the final step, the couscous is sieved and sorted to remove lumps and ensure a uniform product.

As couscous is made from wheat, couscous is not gluten-free.

Preparing couscous – from simple to traditional

The production process has now been industrialized and you can buy couscous in the supermarket, which you only need to pour hot water over and leave to swell.

It is classically steamed in a couscousière. This is a pot with an attachment. Meat, fish or vegetables are cooked in the lower pot, while the steam rises to the top and cooks the couscous.

If you would like to find out more about preparing couscous, read the article Preparing couscous – how to make it extra fluffy.

Couscous is used in many different ways in Levantine cuisine, but pearl couscous in particular is more common there than fine couscous. Here are a few couscous salad recipes to try out: Couscous salad with halloumi and zucchini, couscous salad with tuna and tahini dressing or couscous salad with strawberries and green asparagus.

It is often combined with vegetables, pulses and spices such as baharat or harissa and served steamed. It can also be served as a side dish with meat or fish dishes.

Couscous variety – these different types are available

If you’re asking yourself: what is couscous, then also ask yourself: what varieties are there? With handmade couscous, every grain is unique! Couscous is not only available in one type, but in three different types, from fine to coarse:

• Fine couscous: suitable for salads or stuffed vegetables.
• Medium-fine couscous (Moyen): available in most stores. This is the easiest to prepare and is nice and fluffy.
• Coarse couscous: is a great side dish and can be enriched with vegetables and aromatic spices.
• Pearl couscous: is the coarsest form of couscous and actually looks a bit like pearls.

However, the variants from the supermarket all have one thing in common: they are instant products that are already pre-cooked and can be prepared in just a few minutes.

Moghrabieh – Lebanese pearl couscous

Pearl couscous moghrabieh is very widespread and popular in Lebanon. If you take a closer look at moghrabieh, you can already see its relationship to pasta. Moghrabieh also has more in common with Italian pasta than with the fine North African couscous in terms of bite and taste. Unlike fine couscous, moghrabieh is cooked.

Be sure to try the pearl couscous stew with chicken, pearl couscous in tomato sauce with fried mushrooms or the comfort food variant cheese pearl couscous with kafta and chili butter.

There are other variations that are attributed to couscous, but are also related to Italian pasta. For example, the Israeli ptitim or the Greek kritharaki (also known as orzo or manestra).

Nutritional values and health benefits

Now you know what couscous is. But what are the nutritional values of this small grain and how healthy is it? Couscous is not only delicious, but also rich in nutrients: it is an excellent source of vegetable protein and contains important B vitamins and minerals such as potassium, phosphorus and manganese. Thanks to its fiber content, it aids digestion and ensures long-lasting satiety.

Approximate nutritional values of couscous per 100 grams (dry):

Calories 353
Protein 13 g
Fat 1.5 g
Carbohydrates 70 g
Dietary fiber 3.5 g

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