Not many people know what couscous is and fewer people have tried the delicacies and dishes made with this healthy food. Couscous is actually a grain food comparable to pasta or rice. It is actually made from wheat semolina that is moistened and then shaped into tiny grains. Couscous grains are smaller than rice grains and are dusted with flour so they can retain their structure. It may be interesting to know that couscous is a staple food of some regions of the world and is considered as pasta or rice in some countries. Like pasta and rice, couscous can be very versatile in its preparation and can be used in various dishes and salads; and can also be used to prepare side dishes.

Since couscous is made from semolina grain, it is made and sold in a variety of ways. Some sell couscous without adding any type of seasoning or without any extra ingredients. However, there are some stores that sell them in different varieties, including couscous that is roasted in onion, garlic, or olive oil. Surprisingly, couscous can also be made with other types of wheat to give it different flavors.

People from different parts of the world prepare couscous differently. Some countries, such as those in the African region, serve couscous in a light broth and in combination with cooked vegetables. In Morocco, however, couscous is served with lots of vegetables, sauces, and beans. In Western countries, however, couscous is used more as an alternative to rice and pasta. If couscous isn’t local to your area, you can always buy it at health food stores or the ethnic food section of some supermarkets.

When it comes to nutrition, couscous will never fall short. It is, in fact, one of the healthiest grain-based products out there. Its glycemic load per gram is 25% lower than that of pasta. Not only that, but couscous is also known to have higher vitamin content than pasta. To prove it, it must be said that couscous contains twice the content of niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and folic acid compared to pasta. It also contains more thiamin and pantothenic acid.

Couscous is also a very good source of protein as it has 3.6 grams of protein per 100 calories. Its protein content is the same as that of pasta but slightly higher than that of white rice. Also, it would be interesting to note that couscous only has a 1% fat to calorie ratio, making it a good alternative to rice and pasta if you want your meal to be lower in fat.

Couscous is, of course, a very good source of carbohydrates. If you are tired of cooking the usual staples like pasta and rice, couscous can be a good alternative. With its carbohydrate content, it can be very satisfying for hunger despite its small grain size. The best thing about couscous is that it contains no cholesterol.

Remember that you can prepare it alone to replace rice or pasta or you can cook it in combination with beef, pork, chicken and vegetables.