Moroccan Spice Set Gift Guide: What to Include and How to Make Your Own

Short answer: a good Moroccan spice set holds six to eight everyday spices: cumin, sweet paprika, turmeric, ground ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, ras el hanout and a small amount of saffron. Put them in small airtight jars with clear labels, and add a recipe card that shows how to use them. You can make the whole set at home in an afternoon, and it will be fresher than most boxed sets.

A spice set is one of those gifts that actually gets used. It is small, it keeps for a long time, and it opens up a whole cuisine for someone who has only tried Moroccan food in a restaurant. Here is what to put in it, three versions for different budgets, and how to put it together so it looks lovely and tastes even better.

The 8 spices every Moroccan spice set needs

These are the spices that show up again and again in everyday Moroccan cooking. Each one links to a recipe on this site that uses it, so you can print a card to go with the jar.

Spice	What it brings	Try it in
Cumin	Warm, earthy flavor, the spice of bean dishes and dips	Zaalouk, bissara, loubia
Sweet paprika	Red color and a mild, sweet taste	Kefta mkaouara, fish tagine with chermoula
Turmeric	Golden color and a gentle, earthy note	Chicken tagine with potatoes and olives
Ground ginger	Soft warmth in tagines and soups	Harira, loubia
Cinnamon	Sweet warmth for tagines and pastries	Lamb tagine with prunes, chebakia
Black pepper	Everyday heat	Almost every savory dish
Ras el hanout	A rich blend of many spices	Homemade ras el hanout
Saffron	Color and a floral aroma for special dishes	Chebakia

For a deeper look at what each one does, see our guide to Moroccan spices.

A word on ras el hanout

The name is usually translated as “head of the shop,” meaning the best the spice seller has to offer. There is no single recipe. Every shop and every family mixes it a little differently, which is part of what makes it such a nice gift. Wikipedia’s ras el hanout page has more on its history. If you make your own, you can tell the person exactly what is in their jar.

Three spice sets for different budgets

The starter set

Four jars, perfect for someone new to Moroccan cooking.

• Cumin
• Sweet paprika
• Turmeric
• Ground ginger
• Recipe card: loubia or zaalouk, both easy and very forgiving

The tagine set

The full eight, built around slow-cooked Moroccan dishes.

• Everything in the starter set
• Cinnamon, both ground and a few sticks
• Black peppercorns
• Ras el hanout
• A small tin of saffron threads
• A jar of homemade preserved lemons
• Recipe card: chicken tagine with potatoes and olives

The baker’s set

For someone who loves sweets more than stews.

• Ground cinnamon
• Anise seeds
• Fennel seeds
• Toasted sesame seeds
• A small tin of saffron threads
• Recipe card: sellou or chebakia, which both use anise, cinnamon and sesame

How to make your own Moroccan spice set

1. Start with fresh spices. Buy from a shop that sells a lot of spices, so the stock turns over quickly. Smell everything. A good spice smells strong the moment you open the bag.
2. Grind the cumin yourself. Toast cumin seeds in a dry pan for a minute or two until fragrant, let them cool, then grind them. The difference in smell is huge, and it makes the gift feel special.
3. Mix a small batch of ras el hanout. Our ras el hanout recipe uses ground spices you can buy anywhere.
4. Use small jars. Jars of about 2 to 4 ounces (60 to 120 ml) are the right size. Smaller jars get used up while the spice is still fresh.
5. Label every jar. Write the name, the date and one line on how to use it. For example: “Cumin. For bean dishes, zaalouk and grilled meat.”
6. Pack it nicely. A small wooden box, a basket or a folded kitchen towel tied with string all work. Line the jars up so the labels face out.
7. Add a storage note. A short line like “Keep in a dark cupboard, away from the stove” helps the spices last. Our guide on how to store spices explains why.

If you are buying a ready-made set

Not everyone has time to fill jars. If you are buying a boxed Moroccan spice set, check these things first:

• A date on the pack. Look for a packing date or a best-by date. Spices lose their aroma slowly, so you want the freshest set you can find.
• Sealed jars or tins. Loose paper bags look charming, but they let air and moisture in.
• Saffron as threads, not powder. Ground saffron is easier to mix with cheaper fillers. Real threads are deep red, and when you drop one in warm water it slowly turns the water golden yellow while the thread stays red. Wikipedia’s saffron page covers how saffron is graded and why fakes exist.
• A real ingredient list for blends. A ras el hanout that lists its spices is a good sign. Be wary of “Moroccan seasoning” where salt is the first ingredient.
• Small amounts. A set with smaller jars of more spices is usually more useful than a few huge ones.

Little extras that make the gift

If you want to go beyond the spices, these pair beautifully:

• A small clay tagine. If the person does not have one, our post on tagine vs Dutch oven helps them decide if they need one, and how to cook with a tagine gets them started.
• A jar of homemade amlou. The almond, argan oil and honey spread is a lovely sweet addition. Read what amlou is before you make it.
• Tea glasses and green tea. Two or three small glasses and a packet of green tea turn the set into a mint tea kit. Add our guide to Moroccan mint tea culture and the mint tea recipe.
• A printed recipe or two. Pick recipes that match the spices in the box, so the person can cook something the same week.

When to make it

Make the set no more than a week or two before you give it, so the ground spices and any homemade blend are at their freshest. It works for the holidays, Eid, a housewarming, a birthday, or as a thank-you for someone who loves to cook.

FAQ

What spices are in a Moroccan spice set?

The most useful set includes cumin, sweet paprika, turmeric, ground ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, ras el hanout and saffron. Bakers will also enjoy anise seeds, fennel seeds and sesame.

What is the most used spice in Moroccan cooking?

There is no single answer, but cumin, sweet paprika, ground ginger and turmeric show up in a huge number of everyday dishes, from bean stews to tagines and soups.

How long will a homemade spice set last?

Stored in tight jars away from heat and light, single ground spices keep their flavor for a long time. Homemade blends like ras el hanout are best used within a few months, when the aroma is strongest.

Is saffron worth including?

Yes, even a small amount. A little goes a long way, and it is the jar people treat as the special one. Buy threads, not powder.

What can I add to a Moroccan spice gift?

A small tagine, a jar of preserved lemons or amlou, Moroccan tea glasses with green tea, or printed recipes that use the spices in the set.

What is ras el hanout?

A Moroccan spice blend whose name means “head of the shop.” It mixes many warm spices like cumin, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric and pepper, and every version is a little different.