Ras el Hanout
Ras el hanout is a complex North African blend of a dozen or more spices, rich in iron and manganese and carrying curcumin, cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, piperine, and capsaicin for a broad antioxidant profile.
Nutrition · per ~2 g serving · ≈ a pinch
- Vitamin K1.2 mcg1% DV
- Vitamin B60.02 mg<1% DV
- Vitamin E0.08 mg<1% DV
- Thiamin0.01 mg<1% DV
- Riboflavin0.01 mg<1% DV
- Niacin0.07 mg<1% DV
- Folate1.8 mcg<1% DV
- Vitamin C0.26 mg<1% DV
- Vitamin A12.0 iu<1% DV
- Manganese0.22 mg10% DV
- Iron0.42 mg2% DV
- Copper0.02 mg2% DV
- Magnesium5.0 mg1% DV
- Calcium11.6 mg<1% DV
- Zinc0.08 mg<1% DV
- Potassium29.0 mg<1% DV
- Phosphorus6.6 mg<1% DV
- Selenium0.26 mcg<1% DV
- Sodium1.1 mg<1% DV
- Saturated Fat0.05 g
- Curcumin~60 mg
- Capsaicin~1.0 mg
- Piperine~80 mg
- Polyphenols~3.0 mg
Score · 97/100
Vitamins & minerals packed in relative to calories — the single biggest driver of the score.
How much protein it delivers, by absolute grams and per calorie.
Dietary fiber for gut health, satiety and steadier blood sugar.
Fat quality — unsaturated vs saturated, and trans-fat free.
Polyphenols, flavonoids and other beneficial plant compounds for this food group.
Low sugar with a high fiber-to-carb ratio scores best — gentler on blood sugar.
- Manganese478% DV
- Iron117% DV
- Copper94% DV
- Magnesium60% DV
- Vitamin K50% DV
Overview
Ras el hanout, 'head of the shop,' is North Africa's most elaborate blend, traditionally a closely guarded mix of a dozen or more spices that varies by maker. A typical version layers earthy cumin and coriander, warm cinnamon and ginger, golden turmeric, floral cardamom, pungent cloves and black pepper, nutmeg, and a touch of chili, sometimes with dried rosebud or lavender for fragrance. Because it draws on the same seed-and-bark spices as curry powder and garam masala, it is similarly mineral-dense, supplying roughly 21 mg iron, 11 mg manganese, 580 mg calcium, 250 mg magnesium, and 1,450 mg potassium per 100 g at about 360 kcal. Its teaspoon-scale use keeps the practical micronutrient contribution small, but its phytochemical breadth is the point: curcumin, cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, piperine, and capsaicin all appear together, and the pepper content can aid the absorption of co-ingested compounds. Ras el hanout is best appreciated as a flavor-and-antioxidant tour de force used to season Moroccan tagines, couscous, and roasted meats.
Health Benefits (3)
- Provides a broad spectrum of antioxidant polyphenolsmoderateCurcumin, cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and capsaicin together scavenge free radicals and modulate multiple inflammatory pathways, with piperine enhancing their bioavailability
- Supports digestion and appetitelimitedCumin, coriander, ginger, and cardamom carminatives stimulate digestive secretions and ease gastrointestinal discomfort
- Supplies minerals for enzyme and oxygen-transport functionlimitedIron and manganese act as cofactors for hemoglobin synthesis and antioxidant defense
Food Pairings
- ·Pair with olive oil or ghee because the blend's curcumin and capsaicin are fat-soluble
- ·Add to lamb, chicken, and chickpea tagines where the warm complexity shines
- ·Include black pepper, already present in most blends, to support curcumin absorption
Practical Tips
- ·Bloom in warm fat before adding liquid to release the full aromatic spectrum
- ·Use as a dry rub or stir into stews; a little carries a lot of flavor
- ·Buy small quantities fresh, as a blend this complex loses nuance within months
Optimal Timing
No circadian dependency; benefits from regular culinary use.
Negligible calories at culinary doses; compatible with fasting.
Systems supported
body systems this food feedsPathways supported
biochemical reactions enabled by this foodCompared to other herbs & spices
Per 100 g of the default form. Bars show how much higher or lower ras el hanout is than the average across 76 peer foods in this category. Green means a favorable direction; amber means the opposite.
What people ask about ras el hanout
What is ras el hanout?
Ras el Hanout is classified as a herbs & spices. Ras el hanout is a complex North African blend of a dozen or more spices, rich in iron and manganese and carrying curcumin, cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, piperine, and capsaicin for a broad antioxidant profile.
Is ras el hanout healthy?
Ras el Hanout scores 97/100 in Formulate, making it an exceptional choice. Its strongest contributions come from Manganese, Iron, Copper. The score blends nutrient density, fiber, healthy fats, protein quality, bioactive compounds, and glycemic impact.
Is ras el hanout high in protein?
Not particularly. A 2 g serving provides about 0.3 g of protein (~1% of the 50 g daily value).
Is ras el hanout high in fiber?
Not really. A 2 g serving provides about 0.6 g of fiber (~2% of the 28 g daily value).
Is ras el hanout keto-friendly?
Yes — it fits comfortably in most keto plans. A 2 g serving has about 0.4 g of net carbs (1.1 g total minus 0.6 g fiber).
When is the best time to eat ras el hanout?
Best any time of day. No circadian dependency; benefits from regular culinary use.
How much ras el hanout should I eat?
A typical serving is around 2 g (~7 kcal), based on the FDA's Reference Amount Customarily Consumed for this food category. There's no fixed daily target — most adults benefit from rotating ras el hanout alongside several other herbs & spices sources.
What pairs well with ras el hanout?
Ras el Hanout pairs nicely with: Pair with olive oil or ghee because the blend's curcumin and capsaicin are fat-soluble; Add to lamb, chicken, and chickpea tagines where the warm complexity shines; Include black pepper, already present in most blends, to support curcumin absorption.
Supplements that mirror Ras el Hanout's nutrient profile
Encyclopedia entries that supply the same signature nutrients ras el hanout contributes. Click through to see clinical dose ranges, evidence quality, and bioavailable forms.
Signature nutrients in Ras el Hanout
These are the nutrients ras el hanoutcontributes meaningfully toward (≥10% DV per 100 g serving). Click one to see what it does in the body, which supplements concentrate it, and which other foods are top sources.