From ‘Normale’ to ‘Nouss-Nouss’ : How to Order Coffee in a Moroccan ‘Kahwa’

Beverages are central to Moroccan hospitality, and although mint tea is a popular choice, coffee can also have its time in the spotlight in this country.

Rabat – Anyone could tell you that hospitality is a huge thing in Morocco. A cornerstone of any good host is offering a drink – tea or coffee – and sometimes it can be considered impolite to refuse, leading to copious quantities of both being consumed.

While mint tea – or “atay b naa naa” – remains far and away the most culturally important and popular drink in Morocco, coffee is becoming an increasingly popular choice in the urban centers.

Like any good city around the country, the main streets are lined with “Salons de Thé” or what local Moroccans call in Darija (Moroccan Arabic) as “Kahwas.” These coffee houses have outdoor tables largely full of men, though it is becoming more and more popular to see women out too, reading the news, smoking, and socializing.

Don’t let the name deceive you! “Salons de Thé” commonly act as coffeehouses too, as the word “Kahwa” is translated to “coffee”.

In Morocco, while it is essential to try the classic mint tea – it is popular for a good reason –those seeking the hyper-productivity of a caffeine hit will generally sway towards coffee.

But forget about any almond, soy, caramel, or hazelnut latte combination popular in America.

Here in Morocco, there are only really two choices to decide between: with milk, or without, and with sugar or without.

For a simple black coffee, order “café noir” or what they call “normale”. This strong black coffee is essentially an espresso, served in a little glass with sugar on the side.

For a coffee with a closer resemblance to a cappuccino, one can order a “nouss-nouss”, meaning “half-half” in Darija. As the name implies, nouss-nouss is half espresso, half steamed milk, and is generally a popular coffee for those not wishing for a caffeine overload.

It is also possible to order European coffee types like a latte or a cappuccino, but it’s a tell-tale sign that you’re not local.

Increasingly popular amongst youth, and found at up-market cafes, ice-coffees are still a rarity despite the summer heat. If you do find them, they often are sweet and full of milk.

Another coffee drink popular among Moroccans is Nescafe instant coffee, which can be combined with sugar and milk, fresh or powdered.

Consumed at home or on the go, Nescafe is affordable and widely available at corner stores and supermarkets around the country.

With these tips, menu or no menu, you will be ordering coffee like a pro in Morocco. Don’t worry, you’ve got this!