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Morocco Travel Tips
Learn about the delicacies of Morocco from tagine to amlou.
Moroccan Money & Currency: The main currency of Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham. The exchange rate changes daily, so check the current rate here before leaving. While in Morocco, you can find the rates listed at the bank, which also the best place to do exchanges. You can also withdraw money from the many ATMs in the country, but be sure to ask your banks exchange rate between your own currency and the Moroccan dirham and foreign transaction and withdrawal fees.
Magical Moroccan Souvenirs to Bring Back Home:
| Djelabas and Kaftans : | Posted Sep 09th, 2009 by Driss |
| Moroccan tailors have not changed much over the centuries, though factories are beginning to make their mark. Still, Morocco uses natural dyes which you can see being made in the giant vats in Fez. In the Moroccan villages south of Fez you can watch the Moroccan women make the buttons found on many of the Moroccan garments. It is a very unusual process that one must see. The djelaba is the tradition garment of Morocco. It resembles a long robe and comes in a vast variety of colors and styles. Both men and women wear djelabas over their inside clothes when they go out, though the style for men differs from the style for a woman. It is a Moroccan's everyday outfit and locals joke that to truly be Moroccan you must own a djelaba. The kaftan is only for women and is traditionally known as the Moroccan wedding dress, though Moroccan women wear it on any special occasions. On a woman's wedding day, to set her out from the crowd and all of the other kaftan wearing women, she changes her kaftan 4-7 times. Usually the family must rent the kaftans, as they can be quite expensive due to the amount of material and the quality of the cloth. You can find djelabas and kaftans in all of Morocco and the prices vary depending on where you are buying it, how well you barter, and the quality of the fabric. | |
| Spices : | Posted Sep 09th, 2009 by Driss |
| Morocco is famous for its quality and variety of spices. Moroccan's always use spices in their cooking, not only for their mouth watering flavors they create but also for their medicinal properties. It is not uncommon to see a Moroccan eat a hand full of plain cumin to help with stomach cramping or coriander seed to help with digestion. Be sure to visit Rahba Alkhadima, Marrakech's ancient spice square near Djema El Fina. Here you can sit and drink mint tea and learn for the locals the medicinal properties of all the spices, as well as buy some at very reasonable prices. Here you can find some of the most affordable saffron in the world, as well as some of the richest cinnamon and red ginseng. | |
| Argan Oil : | Posted Sep 09th, 2009 by Driss |
| Argan Oil is made from the Argania Spinosa tree which only grows in the small villages between Agadir and Essaouira on the coast of Morocco. The Argan forest protected by UNESCO contains around 20 million trees and has been growing in this same location for nearly 25 million years. The Argania Spinosa tree grows in no other country in the world and are sadly disappearing for over exploitation. One Argania Spinosa tree only produces about one liter of argan oil. Argan Oil is made from the Argania Spinosa tree's nut, which starts out green and then turns golden brown when ready to be picked. The argon nut is one of the hardest nuts known of, and must be broken open in order to extract the kernels, which are then lightly roasted so as to extract the flavor. The Moroccan women of Berber descent then take the argan kernel and pound the oil out of it. Only the purest oil can be used for cooking, and has a unique and magnificent flavor. The best place to buy pure argan oil is in the cooperatives where the Moroccan women work which are in the villages where the trees grow. The more common argan oil is that used for massage and cosmetics. Argan oil is rich in nutrients and antioxidants and the Berber used it as medicine. Argan oil makes the perfect gift or souvenir to bring home. | |
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Recipes
Learn to cook Moroccan dishes such as tagine & couscous.
Morocco Culture
Learn about the rich culture of Morocco.
Morocco People
Learn about the people of Morocco.
Morocco History
Learn about Morocco’s unique and rich history.
Did you know...
Argan trees can only be found in Morocco. Their kernels are used to create oil which is used for cooking as well as making skin ointments & massage oils.