The Sound Of The Souks

Category: Food and Drink.

Exploring The Red City Of Marrakech.

The best places for dining out in Marrakech.

  • Healthy Snacks in Marrakech.

    Alternative suggestions to sweets and pastries.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Imagine walking around the medina, and you fancy something to tickle your tastebuds. It’s too early for lunch or dinner, but you fancy a snack, something other than sweets and pastries. Marrakech has an abundance of street vendors selling delicious things. Some you may know, some you may not be so familiar with.

    Cactus fruit is commonly seen displayed on carts around the medina in Marrakech. Cactus fruit or prickly pear, as it’s also known, is a  spiky, sweet treat in season from July to September. The vibrantly coloured fruit is nutritious, refreshing, and packed with antioxidants. Eating cactus fruit is a great way to hydrate. It’s juicy and full of vitamin C. You can pick one up for 1 dirham, making them a great snack for travellers on a tight budget. If you haven’t tried one before, I would give them a go. They are absolutely delicious and a cheap, healthy alternative to sweets.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Nuts are central to Moroccan cuisine. There’s a good variety available, including walnuts, cashews, pistachios, and peanuts. Souk Kchacha in the medina is the best place to buy quality nuts. Vendors in the main square also sell packets of mixed nuts in various flavours. They are absolutely delicious. The perfect snack to take with you sightseeing or to fill a gap before your next meal.

    Nuts can be filling and calorific, so bear that in mind.Once you pop, you might not stop. The problem for me was which ones to buy from the huge variety on sale. Luckily, I was able to taste them before purchasing any.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    There are plenty of shops selling nuts around the medina in Marrakech. One I  recommend is Marche aux Espices in Tinsmiths Square, open from 9.00am until 8.00pm.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Fruit is everywhere in Marrakesh. Colourful, mouthwatering, fresh fruit displayed around the medina. There is a fruit and vegetable market where locals shop called Market el Kheir. This is a great area to visit if you want an authentic experience buying fresh produce. Its location is M233+FQG AV Ibn, Marrakech. It closes at 11.00pm, and everything is fresh with a lively, bustling atmosphere.

    There are carts all around the medina selling a wonderful variety of fruit, and Jamaa El Fna is abundant with fruit sellers plying their trade.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    One thing you really ought to try when you come to Marrakech are the dates. Dates are a staple in Marrakech. The most popular is the large sweet variety  called Medjool and the popular Boufeggous, highly regarded by the local people. Medjool dates, also known as ‘The King of Dates’, have a caramel like flavour and soft texture. They are mainly grown in the Tafilalet region of Morocco and are rich in potassium, fibre, and energy. If you’re flagging from all the sightseeing, they’re the ideal pick me up.

    The most common location for purchasing dates is from vendors in Jamaa El Fnaa or in the medina. They are considered safe to eat but get them packaged if you’re taking them home. This will avoid issues with customs at the airport.

    I was pleasantly surprised by the soft fleshy texture and the size of dates in Marrakech. They tasted really fresh, completely different from the ones back home. I was so impressed that I purchased some to bring back with me. At the time of writing,  dates average at about MAD 99.57 and MAD 248.92 per kilogram.

    Fruits still contain natural sugar, so moderate snacking is advisable for obtaining optimum health.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.
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  • Healthy Juice And Smoothies In Marrakech.

    An alternative way to hydrate yourself.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Marrakech is a smoothie lover’s dream come true. Smoothies can be found everywhere. They are one of the most vibrant and refreshing drinks in the medina.Using the freshest fruit from the local market and packed with nutritional goodness, smoothies are the perfect start to the day. I regularly enjoy a detoxifying smoothie for its positive health benefits or as a pick me up during the day. There is no shortage of exotic fruits and vegetables in Marrakech. The markets are alive with colour.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Literally, everything goes into making a delicious smoothie, and in Marrakech, they seem to have perfected the art. Fresh fruit, dried nuts, spiralina, cucumber, avocado, berries, banana, and spinach are just some of the healthy ingredients blended together to make a smoothie. There is an abundance of fruit around the medina, so you can expect colourful, fresh ingredients every time.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Fresh juice is also popular  amongst tourists who need something to quench their thirst in the hot African sun. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is tangy and exhilarating. Served with fresh mint, it’s a combination that is both aromatic and refreshing. It’s a taste sensation.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Orange juice made using freshly picked oranges off  trees around the medina is a breakfast staple.It is sunshine in a glass.

    Mixed fruit juice is another favourite and sold in the main square. Vendors encourage business with friendly banter. They call tourists over to sample their mango and pineapple juice, and it can be fun to watch them competing for business. On the stalls, they display a selection of exotic fruits. It’s exciting watching them make the juice for you.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    My absolute favourite is  freshly squeezed pomegranate juice. It is a refreshing tonic and gives me a boost of energy. 

    I was flagging in the heat hiking around Ouzoud Waterfall. Freshly squeezed pomegranate juice instantly hit the spot. I soon felt revitalised again.

    Sugarcane juice is widely available around the medina, also. You can find vendors near Koutoubia Mosque.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Here are a few places I  recommend to enjoy a refreshing juice or a healthy smoothie..

    Le Ferme Medina.

    Henna Art Cafe. 

    La Famille.

    Pikala Cafe.

    They each have attractive, comfortable surroundings for a break from sightseeing. There are also plenty of rooftop terraces around the medina. These are great places to enjoy sipping a fruit juice or smoothie, watching all the action below. It’s a pleasant way to get some vitamin C.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    It is important to stay hydrated in Marrakech. The temperature can be hot and humid. I can not underestimate the power of a bottle of water, and you should always carry one with you.

    For a healthy treat, consider trying a few of the wonderful juices and smoothies available also. The vitamins and minerals are necessary to function during a hectic schedule.Just remember, there may still be high sugar content, so moderation is key. It’s all about balance.

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  • Atay And Moroccan Pastries.

    Delicious sweets and pastries in Marrakech.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Shopping in the medina is a fascinating experience, but it can be overwhelming at times. I soon realised that taking a regular break and pacing myself was the best way to enjoy the experience.

    Navigating the maze of alleyways in the souks is exciting. There is so much more to them than beautiful leather goods and Moroccan lamps, though.

    There are delicious sweets and pastries waiting to be sampled. These compliment the taste of traditional mint tea known as atay perfectly.

    There are so many different pastries to choose from. I decided to treat myself to a selection to find out which ones are my favourite. I enjoyed the taste of the almond pastries most of all.

    Traditional mint tea is very hydrating. Sitting in a colourful, boho nook drinking mint tea is a perfect way to take time out from the hectic rhythm of the souks.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    If you are shopping in the souks, I recommend that you pace yourselves and take some time to enjoy the experience. Sitting outside a cute little tea shop is the perfect way to do that.

    There are plenty of places around the medina selling mint tea with traditional sweets and pastries. Part of the pleasure of exploring is finding these hidden gems.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    A few places I recommend are,

    Medina Kawa Marrakech.

    La Patisserie de la Terracce Spices

    Boughaz Coffee in the Kasbah.

    Marrakech has an abundant supply of sweets and pastries, and I suggest trying Baclava. It’s a sweet pastry made of layers of flaky phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts like walnuts, pistachios, or almonds. It’s sweetened with honey and flavoured with spices like cinnamon and lemon juice. This was one of my many favourites.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.
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  • Moroccan Mint Tea

    A custom in Morocco.

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    After the painstakingly long queues at Marrakech airport, you finally arrive at your riad. At this point, you’re feeling overwhelmed and dishevelled. The manager gives you the warmest welcome and guides you into the tranquil courtyard. You sit down on colourful cushions, listening to the sound of trickling water. Suddenly, you’re presented with an ornate silver tray containing a teapot and colourful glasses. This is accompanied by a dish of olives and homemade biscuits. You begin to unwind.

    The tea is poured, holding the teapot higher and higher. You watch with amazement as the tea finds its way perfectly into the little glasses. Not a drop is spilt. This is a traditional Morroccan greeting for visitors. The higher up the teapot is held, the more respect the guest is being shown. The tea also becomes aerated, making it cooler to drink.

    The fragrant aroma of fresh mint fills the air around you. Soon, you are feeling relaxed and becoming accustomed to your new surroundings.

    Video by Freebird Tracey.

    Once you have finished your  tea, the panic of trying to locate the riad disappears as if by magic. The image of dragging your luggage through dark, narrow alleyways starts to become a distant memory.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Mint tea is served everywhere in Marrakech. It’s a customary drink that  locals enjoy whilst chatting with their friends in cafes. Drinking mint tea is a central part of Moroccan social life. It is known as atay in Moroccan darija. It is also called ‘Morroccan Whisky’ by the locals in Morocco.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    The tea is made using gunpowder green tea and spearmint leaves. It is  sweetened with sugar cubes before serving. Moroccans like their tea sweet, so if you don’t, ask to have the sugar cubes separately.

    Moroccan mint tea has many health benefits. It improves digestion, helps to improve oral health, is a natural decongestant, and provides antioxidants that support good mental well-being, skincare, and alertness.

    Fresh mint is sold all around the medina, and the familiar smell is noticeable when you walk past. It’s an aroma you will come across a lot in Marrakech.

    Sipping mint tea overlooking the square from a rooftop terrace is a nice way to experience Marrakech. There is also a tea house that I highly recommend called 1112 Moroccan Tea House. It’s situated in a beautifully restored riad, and it’s the first Moroccan tea house in Marrakech.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    Drinking atay is a big part of Moroccan culture. You will be offered tea in spice shops, in Berber carpet shops, and friendly locals will want to share it with you. It’s practically a ritual in Marrakech.

    You can purchase the pretty glasses in the souks, along with ornate silver teapots. They make perfect gifts for taking home with you.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.
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