History. It is unclear when couscous originated. According to Charles Perry, couscous originated among the Berbers of Algeria and Morocco between the end of the 11th-century Zirid dynasty and the rise of the 13th-century Almohad Caliphate.

Where does couscous come from?

Couscous is a tiny pasta made of wheat or barley. Although couscous was traditionally hand-rolled, these days it's made by machine: Coarsely-ground durum wheat (semolina) is moistened and tossed with fine wheat flour until it forms tiny, round balls.

Why is couscous called couscous?

Couscous is the traditional dish of the Berbers, the ethnic group of North Africa, who named the dish from their language to mean “well rolled” or “well formed.” Couscous is a principal meal for Moroccans, Algerians, and Tunisians.