In many cultures, meals are often eaten from a communal dish, and instead of utensils diners use their hands. There are many different rules of etiquette when sharing a communal meal, such as knowing which hand to use, where to sit, and when to begin eating. One of the most important is handwashing.

In Morocco, this has traditionally been done with rose water or orange water. Orange water is seen as a sign of luck. Rose water is also used for a number of purposes, such as skincare, haircare, and perfume.

Rose water and orange water are also often used in a number of recipes, like stuffed dates, krachel, and muhalbiyah.

And did you know that Morocco is known for its Valley of the Roses? It’s located in the country’s Ouarzazate province, largely known as the filming location for films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Babel. This valley produces between 3,000 and 4,000 tons of roses each year. They also host an annual Rose Festival, where the streets are lined with stalls where vendors sell all sorts of wares, including many rose products. 

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Learn more:

• Etiquette Guide: Eating with a Moroccan Family
• Morocco Rose Festival: the land of red and pink
• Valley of the Roses: discover Morocco’s floral festival 
• Moroccan Orange Blossom Water | Plan-it Morocco
• Rose Water | Plan-it Morocco 
• How to Avoid Having An Awkward Morocco Etiquette Story
• Moroccan Recipes with Orange Flower Water