Traditional Moroccan breakfast: what goes on a beldi breakfast table in the countryside

In the countryside the day starts early, and the first thing that brings the whole family together is a traditional Moroccan breakfast. Not a rushed bite on the way out, but a table with warm beldi bread, olive oil, pure honey, amlou and a pot of tea passed around to everyone. In this article we tell you what usually goes on the beldi breakfast table at our home in Chiadma, how to recreate it at home even if you live in the city, and we share a video of a morning in the countryside.

A morning breakfast in the Moroccan countryside (the video)

In this video you spend an ordinary countryside morning with us: a beldi breakfast with the family, followed by work around the house and the garden. This is the life we live every day, and it is what gives our breakfast that taste you don’t forget.

What goes on a traditional Moroccan breakfast table?

A beldi breakfast changes from one home to another and from one region to the next, but a few classics are almost always there:

• Beldi bread: homemade bread, bread baked in a clay oven, or matlou’. It is the base you dip into everything else.
• Olive oil: in a small dish, for dipping the warm bread. In the countryside we use this year’s beldi olive oil, whose smell fills the house.
• Pure honey: on its own or with beldi butter. Every family has its favourite: some love bold thyme honey, others prefer gentle orange blossom honey.
• Amlou: the blend of roasted almonds, argan oil and honey that many people call “Moroccan Nutella”. To get to know it better, read What is amlou?
• Argan oil: in the Souss and in Chiadma, culinary argan oil sits next to the olive oil and the bread is dipped in it the same way.
• Beldi eggs and olives: boiled or fried eggs, with a few cured olives.
• Mint tea: no breakfast is complete without it. In winter, some add wormwood (chiba) or pennyroyal (fliyou).

The beldi breakfast for special days

On Fridays, when guests arrive, or during the holidays, the table grows. Baghrir, msemen and harcha are added, served warm with a butter and honey sauce. If you want to make baghrir the countryside way, the full recipe is in our article Moroccan baghrir recipe.

And in winter, many families start the day with a soup (hssoua) or bissara, to warm up before heading out to work in the fields or look after the animals.

How to make a traditional Moroccan breakfast at home

You don’t need to live in the countryside to enjoy this atmosphere. A few simple tips:

1. Start with the bread: homemade bread or pan-cooked matlou’ changes everything. Warm it a little before serving.
2. Use pure products: extra virgin olive oil, pure honey and well-made amlou. You taste the difference from the first bite. To choose a good oil, see our article Extra virgin olive oil.
3. Serve everything in small dishes: oil, honey, amlou and olives, each in its own dish, so everyone helps themselves.
4. Make the tea last: so it is still hot when everyone sits down.
5. Bring the family together: the real secret of a beldi breakfast is the moment you share, not only what’s on the plate.

Frequently asked questions about Moroccan breakfast

Is amlou only eaten at breakfast?

No, amlou is eaten at breakfast and at afternoon tea, with bread, baghrir or msemen. Some people also spread it on pancakes or fruit. To make it at home, follow our step-by-step amlou recipe.

Which honey is best for breakfast?

It depends on your taste. If you like a light, sweet flavour, go for orange blossom honey; if you prefer something bold and aromatic, choose thyme honey. To compare varieties, see our guide to Moroccan honey.

Is culinary argan oil the same as cosmetic argan oil?

No. Culinary argan oil is made from roasted kernels: it’s the one eaten at breakfast and used in amlou. Cosmetic oil is made from unroasted kernels. We explain the whole difference in Culinary or cosmetic argan oil?

A beldi breakfast delivered to your door

If you want the taste of the countryside on your breakfast table, you’ll find pure honey, beldi almond amlou, argan oil and beldi olive oil in our shop. We’ve also put the essentials together in the Beldi Breakfast Pack. Delivery to every city in Morocco with cash on delivery. Any questions? Message us directly on WhatsApp: +212682077365.

#amlou #beldi breakfast #Moroccan breakfast #Moroccan countryside #olive oil #pure honey #traditional Moroccan breakfast