Spices of Khan el-Khalili, Cairo
Cairo's great bazaar, dating from the fourteenth century, with spice and herb shops along its lanes and nearby Al-Muizz Street.
Traded and grown here
Best time: October to April.
Khan el-Khalili was founded in 1382 as a trading caravanserai. Its labyrinth of lanes holds shops selling crafts, jewellery, perfume and spices, near Al-Azhar Mosque and the old Fatimid city.
Spices and trade
Egyptian shops sell cumin, coriander, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, dried hibiscus, called karkade, fenugreek and dukkah. Koshari, the national street dish, is topped with spiced tomato sauce, and ful medames is seasoned with cumin.
The place and its people
Egyptian food draws on Ottoman, Levantine and Nubian traditions. Hibiscus tea, karkade, is served hot or cold, and is also served at weddings.
Visiting
Fishawi's cafe has served tea and coffee for generations. Spice shops line the lanes, but prices should be compared.
A trail idea for Khan el-Khalili, Cairo
- The bazaar lanes Browse spices and crafts.
- A spice shop Buy cumin and dukkah.
- Fishawi's cafe Rest over mint tea.
- Al-Muizz Street Walk the medieval street.
Written by the EveryMasala desk with AI assistance. Background: "Khan el-Khalili" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and tours change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.
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