Office workers with access to a microwave
A portion-sized recipe with microwave instructions on the pack can save you measuring during a short break.
Who are these formats for?
People with access to boiling water
Plain couscous that you rehydrate lets you choose how much to make and what to add to your lunch.
Shoppers who check ingredients carefully
Comparing plain, seasoned and semi-wholegrain options lets you check the fibre, salt and allergens in the specific product.
What should you check before buying?
For a lunch prepared at work, first check that the instructions match the microwave or boiling water you have available. Then choose between ready-portioned options and a pack you measure out yourself, before comparing the ingredients.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing it at work | Instructions, equipment needed and standing time. | When my break is short, I want to be able to prepare couscous using the equipment I can actually access. Around 42% of shoppers would put this compatibility first. |
| Cupboard format | Number of portions, how much to measure out and storage instructions after opening. | If I’m planning several lunches, I prefer to choose my portion and store the rest of the pack properly. This flexibility would be the priority for around 33% of shoppers. |
| Ingredients | Ingredients list, allergens, fibre and salt per 100 g. | To choose between plain, seasoned and wholegrain options, I need to read the ingredients for the specific product, especially if I have dietary restrictions. Around 25% of shoppers would make this their first check. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on the time shown on the front of the pack
Even a quick recipe may need boiling water, a microwave, a container or standing time. It won’t be convenient if you don’t have the right equipment at work.
Read all the preparation steps before buying, and have a suitable container ready if you’re making couscous with boiling water.
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Confusing seasoned couscous with plain couscous
Auchan’s listing for spiced couscous states that it contains 1.3 g of salt per 100 g and may contain traces of allergens. Its ingredients differ from those of Auchan’s plain couscous, which is made from durum wheat semolina.
Compare the ingredients list and allergen declaration. Choose a plain version if you’d rather season it yourself.
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Assuming all couscous is suitable for a gluten-free diet
Durum wheat couscous contains gluten, so the word “semolina” alone isn’t enough to tell you whether a product meets this requirement.
Look for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the allergen declaration on its packaging.
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Overlooking the condition of a pack stored in the cupboard
The Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control distinguishes between a best-before date (DDM) and a use-by date (DLC). A product that has passed its best-before date should only be used if, among other things, the packaging is intact.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack, keep the couscous away from moisture and check its condition before use.
Brands and ranges to compare
Tipiak
The range includes plain and seasoned couscous, as well as cooking pouches, with different preparation methods.
- Auchan’s listing for 260 g of Tipiak seasoned couscous states that it makes four portions and can be prepared in the microwave.
- This recipe contains wheat and celery. Also check the packaging for any allergen traces it may contain.
Carrefour
Carrefour’s range includes wheat couscous in different grinds, as well as a corn couscous product labelled gluten-free.
- These options let you compare ingredients and preparation methods within the range.
- Check the details of the product you choose and whether it’s available at your store.
Auchan
The retailer offers fine and medium plain couscous, as well as ready-seasoned recipes.
- The listings for the plain couscous products reviewed state a rehydration time of five minutes.
- The seasoned recipe has different ingredients: its listing states that it contains 1.3 g of salt per 100 g and may contain traces of allergens.
E.Leclerc / Marque Repère
The Comptoir du Grain and Bio Village products let you compare plain medium couscous with organic semi-wholegrain couscous.
- E.Leclerc’s listing for Bio Village semi-wholegrain couscous states that it contains 8.1 g of fibre per 100 g.
- E.Leclerc’s product page advises checking availability with your local store or on Drive.
Aldi / Samia
The medium-grain Samia couscous listed by Aldi comes in a 1 kg pack, so you can measure out what you need for each meal.
- This format could be a good option if you want to keep several portions of couscous in the cupboard.
- Check the preparation instructions on the pack and whether the product is available at your store.
Couscous to prepare with hot water
These Joybuy products include couscous to portion yourself, cooking pouches and wholegrain couscous. For lunch at work, your choice will depend in part on whether you have access to boiling water and on the preparation instructions for each pack.
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Tipiak Medium Couscous 1 kg
Worth considering if you have boiling water and want to measure out couscous yourself for several lunches.
1 kg pack. Joybuy’s listing says to use an equal volume of boiling water. Have a container ready and check the instructions on the pack.
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Tipiak Couscous Cooking Pouches 5 × 100 g
Worth considering if you want a pre-measured portion and can cook a pouch in boiling water.
Five 100 g pouches. Joybuy’s listing gives a cooking time of 1 min 30 s. The pouch needs to be drained afterwards, so this isn’t a microwave recipe.
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DARI Fine Moroccan Couscous 1 kg
Worth considering if you want to measure out fine couscous and prepare it with hot water.
1 kg pack. Check the instructions on the pack for the amount of water and how much time to allow during your break.
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DARI Wholegrain Couscous 1 kg
Compare this if you’re choosing wholegrain couscous for its ingredients rather than a pre-measured portion.
1 kg pack. Joybuy’s listing states that it contains 9.9 g of fibre per 100 g. This durum wheat couscous contains gluten. Check the preparation instructions before planning to have it during a break at work.
Frequently asked questions
Which couscous should I choose if my workplace has a microwave?
A recipe whose packaging specifically gives microwave instructions may work well for an individual portion. Auchan’s listing for 260 g of Tipiak seasoned couscous states that it takes two minutes in the microwave, followed by three minutes standing time. Check the ingredients and allergens for this recipe.
Can you prepare plain couscous with boiling water?
Yes, if the instructions say to rehydrate it with boiling water. The listings for the plain Auchan couscous products reviewed give a rehydration time of five minutes. Check the amounts of water and couscous for the product you choose.
Is durum wheat couscous suitable for a gluten-free diet?
No. The durum wheat couscous products reviewed contain gluten. If you’re looking for an alternative, check that it’s explicitly labelled gluten-free and read its allergen declaration.
What does the date on a pack of couscous mean?
According to the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, a best-before date may have passed if the packaging is intact, although some of the product’s qualities may have deteriorated. A use-by date must not be exceeded. Check the exact wording on the pack and follow its storage instructions.