How to Make Home-Made Xawaash (Somali Spice Mix)

Xawaash spice mix is a Somali spice blend — and if you haven't come across it before, you're in good company. It sits outside the well-trodden Indian and North African spice routes that most Western cooks know, and it deserves more attention than it gets.

Xawaash spice mix — cumin, coriander, cinnamon and cardamom – The Flexible Chef

The name and the blend vary from region to region across Somalia and the Somali diaspora — some versions include more cardamom, some lean heavier on the cinnamon, and some add dried chilli. This version is straightforward: cumin and coriander as the base, black pepper, cinnamon bark, cardamom and cloves, with turmeric added after toasting to give it that warm golden colour. The result is aromatic, warming and subtly different from any other spice blend in the Casa Adora collection.

It works particularly well with goat — a spoonful rubbed into Choto al Ajillo before cooking adds a depth that the garlic and olive oil base doesn't provide on its own.

The Xawaash Somali Spice Mix Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp cumin seeds
• 4 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1 tbsp black peppercorns
• 1 tsp cinnamon bark
• 1 tsp cardamom pods
• ½ tsp whole cloves
• 1 tbsp turmeric powder

Method

1. Lightly toast the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, cinnamon bark, cardamom pods and cloves in a dry pan over a medium heat until fragrant. Do not toast the turmeric. Leave to cool completely.
2. Grind everything together — including the turmeric — in a spice grinder or pestle and mortar until you have a fine powder.
3. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Use within 3 months.

A note on regional variation

Xawaash is not a fixed recipe — it varies across Somalia and between households. Some versions include dried chilli for heat, others add more cardamom for sweetness, and the ratio of cumin to coriander shifts depending on the cook. This xawaash spice mix is a reliable starting point. Adjust to your own taste once you've made it.

Footnote This xawaash Somali spice mix recipe is part of my Curry Recipes collection — the complete guide to curries, spice blends, bases, chutneys and sides from The Flexible Chef. Explore the full Curry Recipes hub.

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