Who should choose this couscous?

Hosts who like to create their own recipes

For couscous, tabbouleh or a homemade side dish, plain couscous with a single ingredient lets you choose which seasonings to add.

Guests keeping an eye on fibre

If you’re choosing between plain and semi-wholemeal couscous, compare the fibre figures per 100 g on the packaging, along with the ‘of which sugars’ figure.

Hosts short on time

A ready-flavoured preparation can make serving easier. If you want to know what fat, salt, sugar or allergens have been added, be sure to check the ingredients list.

Which criteria should you check first?

First decide whether you want to season the couscous yourself or buy a flavoured preparation. Then compare the nutritional information for products of the same type, per 100 g.

Criteria What to check Who it’s for
Sugars and added ingredients The ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and the ingredients list for similar products. I want to control the ingredients in my dish without mistaking a declared figure for a reduced-sugar claim. Around 45% of consumers would make this their priority.
Fibre The fibre and sugar figures per 100 g for the plain or semi-wholemeal product you’re considering. For my tabbouleh, I want to choose based on the fibre figure, without assuming that a semi-wholemeal version contains less sugar. Nearly 33% of consumers would put fibre first.
Speed The preparation time and method, followed by the ingredients in any flavoured version. When I need to serve the meal quickly, preparation time matters most to me, although I still need to check what’s already been added. Around 22% of consumers would prioritise speed.

Which common mistakes should you avoid?

  • Assuming a low sugar figure means ‘reduced in sugars’

    The DGCCRF notes that nutrition claims are regulated. Comparing the grams of sugar per 100 g does not, on its own, prove that a couscous meets the requirements for a ‘reduced in sugars’ claim.

    Use the ‘of which sugars’ figure to compare similar products, then check any claim on the packaging separately.

  • Treating flavoured couscous like plain couscous

    The ingredients list for the flavoured couscous featured by Auchan includes sunflower oil, salt, sugar and mustard. These ingredients are already in the dish before you add your own seasoning.

    If you want to choose the added ingredients yourself, start with plain couscous. For a flavoured preparation, check the ingredients list for the specific product you buy.

  • Forgetting that durum wheat couscous contains gluten

    The product information for Tipiak medium couscous lists durum wheat semolina and states that it contains gluten. So the word ‘couscous’ alone isn’t enough to tell you whether it’s suitable for a guest avoiding this ingredient.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack, including any warnings about possible traces.

Brands to consider

These products show the different ingredients used in couscous and semolina. Always check the information on the pack you’re planning to buy.

Tipiak

Medium couscous made from durum wheat semolina, for homemade couscous and tabbouleh.

  • Carrefour’s product information lists just one ingredient: 100% durum wheat semolina.
  • This product contains gluten. Check the pack for allergen trace warnings too.

Bio Village

500 g of organic semi-wholemeal couscous from E.Leclerc’s Marque Repère range.

  • E.Leclerc’s product information lists 8,1 g of fibre and 1,7 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • These figures apply to this product; they don’t prove that it qualifies for a ‘reduced in sugars’ claim.

Comptoir du Grain

Classic medium couscous made from durum wheat semolina, sold under E.Leclerc’s Marque Repère range.

  • E.Leclerc’s product information lists one ingredient and 2,3 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • If you’re choosing based on sugar, compare this figure with that of other couscous products using the same basis.

Auchan Bio

500 g of organic semi-wholemeal couscous for a homemade dish or tabbouleh.

  • Auchan’s product information lists 7,1 g of fibre and 3 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • Being semi-wholemeal or organic doesn’t, on its own, mean that a product is ‘reduced in sugars’.

Samia

Medium-grain semolina, featured by Aldi France for couscous and Middle Eastern pastries.

  • The grain size is listed as medium.
  • If sugar figures are guiding your choice, check the nutritional information on the pack in question before comparing it with other products.

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Frequently asked questions

Is couscous with a low sugar content necessarily ‘reduced in sugars’?

No. The ‘of which sugars’ figure alone isn’t enough to support this claim. The DGCCRF notes that nutrition claims are regulated, so check the claim on the packaging and any accompanying information.

Is plain durum wheat couscous suitable for someone avoiding gluten?

No. Durum wheat semolina contains gluten. Tipiak’s product information for its medium couscous states this explicitly. Check the ingredients and allergen information for each product before serving it.

How much couscous should you allow per guest?

Auchan’s product information for its medium couscous recommends 80 to 100 g per person for a main course, or 60 to 80 g for a side dish or salad. Adjust the amount to suit the other dishes you’re serving and the guidance for the product you choose.

How should you store dry couscous before your evening meal?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. Auchan’s product information for its flavoured couscous says to store it away from heat and moisture before opening.