What is a Hanout? Understanding the Unique Spice Blend from North Africa

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “what is a hanout,” join the club. Hanout, or ideally ras el hanout, a famous North African spice blend — most often Moroccan. But what is a hanout, really? It’s a complicated mixture of spices — the term means “head of the shop,” implying that it is the best spice a spice seller has to sell.

So, what is a hanout made of? It often has cardamom, cumin, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace and allspice plus dried ginger and chili peppers. Unlike standard American spice blends, there is no one-size-fits-all for hanout; it varies by maker and brings unique flavors to tagines, meats and vegetables.

In the US, hanout is thriving among cooks hungry for international flavors. If you’re browsing for new flavors, you might ask at the market “What is a hanout used for?” The reason: it’s great for evolving stews and roasted things.

In short, hanout is a aromatic, intricate mix; to experience genuine North African cooking, sussing out what exactly a hanout is something intrepid home cooks will need in their back pocket.