Who are these options for?

People preparing several lunches at home

You start with simple ingredients and want to measure out the couscous to suit each meal, rather than always using a pre-portioned pack.

People keeping an eye on fibre

You’d like to include wholegrain starchy foods in your lunches. Manger Bouger lists wholemeal couscous among the options to consider.

People short on time at lunchtime

You’re looking for something quick to prepare or pre-measured portions, while still checking the ingredients in seasoned varieties.

What should you look for?

Choose your couscous to suit the lunch you’re putting together, then check that the packaging works for the way you portion it out.

What to consider What to check Who is it for?
Flexible portions The net weight and packaging, whether loose or in sachets. I prepare several lunches and want to adjust the amount of couscous for each meal; around 40% of consumers put this flexibility first.
Fibre and meal composition Whether it’s labelled wholemeal or semi-wholemeal, and the fibre content shown in the nutritional information per 100 g. If I want to include more fibre, I check the type of grain before planning the rest of my meal; around 30% of consumers share this priority.
Preparation and portioning The preparation time and method on the pack, as well as the weight of each sachet. I don’t have much time at lunchtime and prefer a pre-measured portion; around 30% of consumers prioritise this convenience above all else.

Things to bear in mind

  • Assuming all couscous is gluten-free

    The wheat couscous products described by Auchan contain wheat. Depending on the product, their listings also warn that they may contain traces of soya or mustard.

    If you need to avoid an ingredient, check the ingredients list and allergen information for the specific pack. If you need a gluten-free option, look for a product explicitly labelled “gluten-free”.

  • Making couscous the whole lunch

    Couscous provides the starchy base for a meal, but it doesn’t replace the other ingredients you might want to add. Manger Bouger also encourages people to include wholegrain starchy foods.

    Plan your vegetables and a source of protein or pulses at the same time as you choose your couscous.

  • Relying on a product you’ve seen online without checking your store

    The selection available may depend on which store or online shopping service you choose, particularly for E.Leclerc products.

    Check availability at your local store before planning lunch around a particular format.

Brands to compare

Carrefour

The retailer offers plain couscous, fine semolina, organic wholemeal couscous and corn couscous labelled gluten-free.

  • These products let you compare different types of grain and packaging.
  • Check the ingredients and labelling for each product: wheat couscous and corn couscous won’t meet the same needs.

Comptoir du Grain / Marque Repère

The range shown by E.Leclerc includes fine semolina and couscous in loose-grain and sachet formats.

  • The medium-grain couscous in sachets reviewed comes in five 100 g portions.
  • Check which product is available at your E.Leclerc store before relying on this format.

Tipiak

Carrefour lists, among other products, Tipiak medium-grain couscous in a 1 kg box and couscous in cooking sachets.

  • Choosing between a box and sachets lets you match the packaging to how you prepare your meals.
  • For a flavoured recipe, check the ingredients list and nutritional information separately.

POUCE

Auchan describes its 1 kg POUCE medium-grain couscous as being made from durum wheat semolina.

  • The product listing specifies its ingredient: 100% durum wheat semolina.
  • This product contains wheat; Auchan also warns that it may contain traces of soya and mustard.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is plain couscous enough to make a lunch?

Plain couscous provides the starchy base: add other ingredients to suit the meal you want to make. Manger Bouger recommends including wholegrain starchy foods, vegetables and pulses.

What serving size does the manufacturer recommend for POUCE couscous?

For its POUCE medium-grain couscous, Auchan recommends 60 to 80 g per person as a side or in a salad, and 80 to 100 g for a main meal. These recommendations apply to this product and these uses, not to all couscous.

Is wheat couscous suitable if I need to avoid gluten?

No: the wheat couscous products described by Auchan contain wheat. If you need a gluten-free option, check the “gluten-free” label, ingredients list and allergen information for the product you choose. Carrefour, for example, offers corn couscous with this label.

What should I check when comparing two types of couscous?

First compare the type of grain, ingredients and allergens, then compare the nutritional values on the same basis, such as per 100 g. According to the DGCCRF, pre-packed foods carry a nutrition declaration; check the label on the pack you buy.

How should I store dried couscous after opening?

Follow the instructions on the pack. For its POUCE medium-grain couscous, Auchan recommends storing it away from heat and moisture, including after opening.