Villa Jerada Ras El Hanout
Literally translated as “top of the shop,” this Ras El Hanout is a warm, complex, savory North African spice blend that can be a go-to rub for chicken, grilling, or simply mixed with Greek yogurt or softened butter. Every pantry should have a jar. Key ingredients in this blend include saffron, rose petals, grains of paradise, fennel seeds, monk pepper, galangal, orris root, white peppercorns, anise star, lavender, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, cardamom and allspice.
Villa Jerada Hawaij
This finely textured, golden yellow spice blend is subtly flavored, with delicate notes of cumin, coriander and turmeric. There’s a brightness and savory aroma that leans fresher than what you would get from a store-bought garam masala or other popular Middle Eastern or North African spice blends . This “warming” cinnamon character is notably bright—thanks to the lively clove, which yields a lovely pepperiness. The turmeric, cumin and coriander also make an earthy but vibrant base, keeping the other warming spices solidly in the savory realm.
Villa Jerada Chermoula Spread
Chermoula is a North African condiment made with plenty of fresh herbs, spices and preserved lemons. Villa Jerada's version is less herb-forward than traditional versions but just as complex, with a base of savory-sweet sun-dried tomatoes. Parsley and cilantro brighten up the sauce, which has a spreadable texture like tomato paste and is rounded out with warm spices and salty, tangy preserved lemons.
Use Chermoula as a spread for burgers, sandwiches or crostini, or mix into a creamy base such as Greek yogurt, sour cream or mayonnaise for a dip. Smear on grilled meat or fish, thin it out with stock to make braising liquid, or make a vinaigrette with Villa Jerada Chermoula, extra-virgin olive oil and either lemon juice or your vinegar of choice.
Villa Jerada Moruna Rub
Inspired by the popular pork skewer tapas dish, this moruno spice blend is a bright, rich orange with flecks of pale green form a speckling of dried herbs. Oregano and thyme add a fresh quality to it, while a hit of smoky pimento and bright fennel balance out the flavors. Overall, this blend has a wonderful nutty taste with a low, slow burn of heat that’s still pleasant on the palate.
Villa Jerada Harissa
Villa Jerada’s Harissa No. 1 is our favorite version of this North African red pepper paste for its bright, complex flavor. While many store-bought varieties have a one-dimensional spicy flavor, this harissa layers acidity and fruitiness with preserved lemons, a touch of vinegar and tomato paste for a lively, tangy condiment. Villa Jerada uses just enough high-quality Moroccan olive oil to make the harissa spreadable and smooth without diluting its flavor, as opposed to conventional brands that contain a high proportion of water and vegetable oil.
Villa Jerada Dukkah
Rich, earthy dukkah—a blend of crushed, toasted hazelnuts and spices like cumin, coriander and sesame—is as much an all-purpose seasoning in Egypt as garam masala in India or five-spice powder in China. Villa Jerada's Dukkah is one of the freshest, most aromatic versions we've tried, with a fine texture that's perfect for mixing into dips or for sprinkling over food. The blend tastes prominently of cumin and coriander, with the hazelnuts adding a rich, sweet nuttiness and cayenne rounding out the dukkah with a touch of brightness.
Villa Jerada Shawarma Spice Blend
A subtle blend of spices used to flavor shawarma, a traditional Middle Eastern meat preparation, this finely textured powder is warm and bright, but not spicy. We always trust Villa Jerada when it comes to well-balanced spice blends, but this mix is extra special since it’s developed from a Syrian family recipe. Earthy-sweet paprika work with onion and cumin to form a grounding savory foundation, punctuated by the bright, almost floral nuttiness of nutmeg. More warmth and depth come through from cozy cinnamon, ginger, cloves and allspice. Cardamom adds a floral sweetness, while black and white pepper yield an earthy kick.
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