Moroccan Bissara with Mint & Cumin
Moroccan bissara with mint and cumin is a warm, popular North African soup made from split dried fava beans with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, dried mint and cumin. It has a low glycemic index (clinically reviewed estimate ≈35) and is the ideal winter fuel of the workers and farmers of the Atlas.
Glycemic index
Glycemic load
Calories
Protein
💡 Smart Nutritional Guidance
Consumption advice
Eat it warm with a spoon, topped with a creamy drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of cumin and paprika, as a complete breakfast or lunch without bread.
Best preparation methods
Boil the split fava beans with garlic cloves until they fall apart, purée them smoothly, and add the dried mint, olive oil and cumin in the last few minutes.
Important Nutritional Note
The combination of mint and cumin greatly reduces the bloating fava beans can cause; strict clinical warning: people with favism (G6PD deficiency) must avoid it completely.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per typical portion (150 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 145 kcal | 217.5 kcal |
| Protein | 9.5 g | 14.2 g |
| Carbohydrate | 21 g | 31.5 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 13.8 g | 20.7 g |
| Fat | 2.8 g | 4.2 g |
| Dietary fibre | 7.2 g | 10.8 g |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
Among the foods in Arabic dishes with a glycemic index (37), it ranks 11 (lowest first).
Smart alternatives from the same family:
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Moroccan and Egyptian bissara?
Egyptian bissara is green, eaten cold, cooked with dill, molokhia and coriander and scooped up with bread, while Moroccan bissara is a warm yellow soup eaten with a spoon, with olive oil, mint and cumin.
Is Moroccan bissara suitable for people with diabetes?
Yes, excellent: its glycemic index is low (≈35), and its high protein and fibre give slow, steady energy without raising blood sugar.
What is the nutritional value of a bowl of Moroccan bissara (150 g)?
It contains about 220 kcal, 14 g of plant protein, 11 g of fibre and 4 g of healthy fat from olive oil.
Reviewed by the WiBo Health medical team · Last reviewed 13 October 2026
Disclaimer: This guidance is for nutritional lifestyle orientation and does not constitute a diagnostic medical device under EU Regulation MDR 2017/745.