Food Encyclopedia

ras el hanout

An exotic and complex Moroccan spice blend that, depending on the preparer, can contain up to 50 ingredients. Ras el hanout means "head of the shop," purportedly because shop owners create their own unique blend, which can include ginger, anise, cinnamon, nutmeg, peppercorns, cloves, cardamom, dried flowers (such as lavender and rose), nigella, mace, galangal and turmeric. Traditionally, this spice blend also includes aphrodisiacs like the Spanish fly beetle.