Zaazaa, drink from Morocco: what it is and how it is eaten

Zaazaa is a thick Moroccan milkshake or parfait built around avocado, milk, and dried fruit, often served in layers with sauces, fruit, yogurt, nuts, and cookies. It is especially popular during Ramadan for iftar but is enjoyed year-round at snack bars and patisseries across Morocco.

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Zaazaa uses avocado instead of the usual almond base for Moroccan milkshakes
It is a layered parfait with sauces, fruit, yogurt, nuts, and cookies
Popular for breaking the fast during Ramadan at iftar
Served chilled and eaten with a spoon, not drunk
Originated in Morocco in the early 2000s after avocado farming expanded

What is Zaazaa?

Zaazaa is a rich and thick milkshake or parfait from Morocco, made mainly with avocado, milk, and dried fruits like dates and raisins. Unlike other Moroccan milkshakes that use almonds as the base, zaazaa centers on avocado for its creamy texture. The drink is usually served in a tall glass, layered with dessert sauces such as chocolate or caramel, sliced fruits like banana or apple, Moroccan yogurt called raib, and a mix of nuts or millet. Toppings often include whipped cream, cookies, and extra sauces, making zaazaa both a drink and a dessert eaten with a spoon.

Where does Zaazaa come from?

Zaazaa emerged in Morocco in the early 2000s, following the rise of local avocado farming and increased use of avocados in Moroccan kitchens. It started as a special treat during Ramadan, valued for its high energy content to break the fast at iftar. Over time, its popularity spread beyond Ramadan, and it became a common offering at snack bars and patisseries, especially in urban areas. The name comes from Moroccan Arabic, meaning 'shaken up,' reflecting its blended and layered nature.

How is Zaazaa made?

To prepare zaazaa, avocado, milk, and almonds are blended together with dried fruits such as dates and raisins, sometimes sweetened with honey. The mixture is poured into a glass that has been drizzled inside with dessert sauces like chocolate or caramel. Layers of sliced fruit, Moroccan yogurt (raib), and nuts or millet are added. The parfait is finished with whipped cream and a variety of toppings, which may include more sauces, nuts, cookies, or even candy bars. The result is a cold, thick dessert best eaten with a spoon.

Popular Moroccan street food milk-shake from Northern Morocco called Tza Tza (Zaazaa) made up of avocado milk, banana, flan, pieces of mixed fruit, almonds and walnuts. — Popular Moroccan street food milk-shake from Northern Morocco called Tza Tza (Zaazaa) made up of avocado milk, banana, f. Photo: Xemenendura, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How and when is Zaazaa eaten?

Zaazaa is enjoyed as a dessert or snack, often at mahlaba snack bars or patisseries. During Ramadan, it is especially popular for iftar, when people break their fast at sunset. The drink is served chilled and is usually eaten with a spoon due to its thick, layered texture. It is a social treat, sometimes shared with friends or family during evening outings, and its elaborate toppings make it a festive choice.

Kinds of Zaazaa

While the basic zaazaa always features avocado, milk, and dried fruit, the toppings and layers can vary widely. Some versions include extra fruit like kiwi or apple, different dessert sauces, or a variety of nuts. Snack bars often add cookies, tuiles, or even candy bars such as Oreos or KitKats for a more decadent presentation. The parfait style and toppings can be customized to taste, making each serving unique.

What Zaazaa means

Zaazaa holds a special place during Ramadan, when it is a favored treat for breaking the fast. Its rich ingredients and elaborate presentation have made it a symbol of indulgence during the holy month. Outside Ramadan, it is a popular year-round snack, especially among young people and families who visit mahlaba snack bars. The drink reflects Morocco's openness to new ingredients like avocado and the creativity of its urban food culture.

When Zaazaa is on the table

Ramadan

Questions people ask about Zaazaa

What is zaazaa made of?

Zaazaa is made by blending avocado, milk, almonds, and dried fruits like dates and raisins. It is layered with dessert sauces, sliced fruit, Moroccan yogurt, nuts, and topped with whipped cream and cookies.

Where does zaazaa come from?

Zaazaa comes from Morocco. It developed in the early 2000s as avocados became more widely grown and used in Moroccan cuisine.

When is zaazaa usually eaten?

Zaazaa is especially popular during Ramadan for iftar, the evening meal to break the fast. However, it is also enjoyed year-round as a dessert or snack at Moroccan snack bars and patisseries.

How is zaazaa served?

Zaazaa is served cold in a tall glass, layered with sauces, fruit, yogurt, and toppings. It is thick and typically eaten with a spoon rather than drunk.

Is zaazaa vegetarian?

Yes, zaazaa is vegetarian. It contains milk, yogurt, fruit, nuts, and honey, but no meat or fish.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Zaazaa", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

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