Also known as ‘harissa arbi’ or ‘diari’ in modern Tunisian vernacular, traditional harissa is a staple found on the table and in everyday Tunisian cooking although it is often misrepresented and culturally watered down to a ‘Middle Eastern’ or ‘North African’ sauce in the United States. We challenge this cheap co-opting with a thick, aromatic, garlicky sun-dried chili paste bursting with flavor; just like our ancestors did it. 

The term ‘harissa’ comes from the Arabic word ‘harassa’, which means ‘to pound’ or ‘to crush’. Traditional harissa was originally produced by the descendents of the Andalusian Jews and Muslims persecuted from Christian Spain towards the end of the 16th century who fled to various areas throughout Northern Tunisia; from Tunis to Testour to Grombalia. The custom of preparing and using harissa subsequently evolved from the Tunisian Cape Bon region and spread in all directions from northern Tunisia all the way to Constantine (present day eastern Algeria) and Tripolitania (present day western Libya). The art of making and using traditional harissa is practiced by artisans of the Tunisian diaspora to this day, a testament to its integrality in Tunisian history, culture, and identity.

Net Weight: 6 oz

Water, Sun-Dried Chilis, Fresh Garlic, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Wine Vinegar, Coriander, Sea Salt, Caraway

Nutrition Facts are in the product images