Is Couscous a Grain or Pasta? + Other Common Questions

What is couscous?

Many people automatically think couscous (“koos-koos”) is a type of grain due to its physical resemblance to quinoa, a popular whole grain. The truth is, couscous is actually a type of pasta. It’s typically made from semolina flour (derived from durum wheat) but can also be made from wheat or barley.

Once cooked, the tiny spheres take on a golden color with a subtle nutty taste. You can easily add couscous to any dish, from stews and salads to meats and vegetables. For example, you can replace your side of cauliflower rice with cheese couscous or simmer it with some turkey meatballs and dark greens for a savory, healthy broth. Amazingly, couscous is a dessert when sweetened with fruits or juices—a much healthier alternative to cakes and chocolates.

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Where did couscous originate from?

Couscous is an ancient food featured widely in North African cuisine. It’s been around since the 19th century. The Berbers, who are indigenous inhabitants of North Africa, take credit for creating couscous. Couscous is regionally known as:

• Seksu
• Kusksi
• Kseksu

This North African staple dish is now a worldwide favorite, particularly in the United States.

What is the nutritional value of couscous?

Although couscous is a form of pasta, it is a healthy addition to your meals. The nutritional value of couscous consists of:

• Carbohydrates
• Sodium
• Protein
• Fiber
• Niacin
• Pantothenic acid
• Thiamin
• Vitamin B6
• Folate
• Manganese
• Phosphorus
• Copper
• Magnesium
• Iron
• Zinc
• Calcium
• Potassium

Just keep in mind, couscous made from durum wheat is not gluten-free.

How is couscous made?

Traditionally made couscous was done from scratch. Semolina flour is moistened with cold water before it’s mixed with all-purpose flour (or whichever ingredients the maker prefers). This mixture is then used to form small spheres.

The tiny balls are tossed from one basket to another to sift out the right-sized couscous. The ones that make the cut are steamed for 15 minutes before drying on a flat dish. This process is repeated several times before the couscous is deemed ready to eat.

On the other hand, the couscous you come across in grocery stores is usually machine-made. This commercially produced couscous typically undergoes one round of steaming.

What is the shelf life of couscous?

Dried couscous can keep well until its expiry date as long as it’s stored correctly in a cool, dry area. For example, your pantry and cabinet are ideal storage areas.

Once cooked, the couscous can keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator. To prolong the longevity of cooked couscous, try freezing it. Couscous stored this way can last for a few months.

How do you pick couscous at the grocery store?

Couscous is readily available in most grocery stores—check the grain aisle first. If you can’t locate couscous there, it may be in the international aisle with the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods. Alternatively, check with the in-store staff or the online store.

Choosing couscous at the grocery store mainly depends on the type you want. There are three common types of couscous:

• Moroccan couscous, the most commonly available, and incidentally, the smallest in size
• Israeli couscous, also known as pearl couscous, and slightly larger (roughly the size of peppercorns)
• Lebanese couscous, also called Moghrabieh, is the largest (roughly the size of peas)

You should know that the larger the size of the couscous, the longer the cooking time.

The ingredients used to make the couscous also matter if you are particularly health-conscious. Couscous made of whole wheat durum is a healthier alternative to the average couscous due to its greater fiber content. If you find plain couscous too bland for your taste buds, try the flavored versions like tomato and basil couscous and mango salsa couscous.

Looking for couscous near you? Instacart offers same-day delivery in as short as 2 hours! After adding couscous to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to share with your Instacart shopper specific preferences or directions. Shop for couscous.

How to store couscous

The best way to store couscous is under cool and dry conditions. Common storage options include the pantry and cabinets for dried couscous and the refrigerator for cooked couscous.

Once you’ve opened your bag of couscous, pour the pasta into a zip-lock bag or an airtight container. Alternatively, a food sealing clip works well with the original packaging.

How to tell if couscous is bad

There are a few ways to tell if your couscous has gone bad:

• A pungent smell that is rancid or musty
• Mold (due to moisture)
• Insects, like weevils (a common pantry bug infestation)
• An “off” taste once it’s cooked

In such cases, discard the bad couscous. If you are looking for fresh couscous near you, Instacart can help you with that.

What can I substitute for couscous?

If couscous isn’t available, you can easily substitute it with:

• Quinoa
• Chickpeas
• Lentils
• Cauliflowers
• Rice
• Nuts

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A staple in everyone’s pantry

Couscous pairs easily with any dish and adds an impressive dose of nutrients to keep up with your healthy eating plan. If you’d like to try couscous for yourself now, use Instacart to find out which local stores near you carry them. You can opt for same-day delivery/pick up, depending on which is most convenient for you!

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