Achoura: the fakya list, and how much to buy
Walnuts, almonds, dates, figs, raisins, peanuts and chickpeas: the classic Achoura basket in Morocco, a sample 2 kg basket and our advice on ordering in time.
When is Achoura 2027?
Achoura falls on the 10th of Muharram, the first month of the Hijri calendar, the month that opens the new year. Because this calendar is lunar, the holiday comes about eleven days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar: it fell around June 25 in 2026, and it is expected around June 15, 2027 (10 Muharram 1449). In Morocco, the official date depends on the sighting of the crescent moon and can shift by a day: rely on the official announcement, and plan your shopping a few days ahead.
A family celebration where children take center stage
In Morocco, Achoura brings several traditions together. For many families, it is a time of voluntary fasting and almsgiving; it is also a popular festival that puts children in the spotlight, with toys, tambourines and treats, followed by the water games of Zemzem day. Fakya is at the heart of these days: it is set on the table for visitors, shared with family and neighbors, and packed into little bags for the children. In many families, the couscous of the day is also made with gueddid, the dried meat kept since Eid al-Adha.
The classic list
Every household has its habits, but the Achoura basket almost always brings together the same families of fakya. Walnuts (kerkaa), the centerpiece: at our shop, Walnut halves. Almonds (louz), plain or roasted: Standard almonds, Forna almonds from Meknes or Roasted almonds. Dates (tmer), on the branch or loose: Tunisian dates on the branch, Algerian dates on the branch or Large Medjool dates. Dried figs (chriha): Spanish dried figs and Unsweetened Turkish dried figs. Raisins (zbib): Unsweetened golden raisins and Unsweetened jumbo raisins. Finally, for the children, peanuts (kawkaw) and roasted chickpeas, which we offer in flavored versions such as Caramel peanuts or Olive and oregano chickpeas. Nothing stops you from adding cashews or pistachios for a more generous platter. Dates and figs bring the sweetness, walnuts and almonds the crunch, raisins the color: that balance is what makes a good basket.
How much to buy?
There is no official quantity: you buy according to the size of the family and the number of visits you expect. Here is a sample 2 kg basket, a common benchmark rather than a rule: 500 g of walnuts, 500 g of almonds, 300 g of dates, 250 g of dried figs, 250 g of raisins and 200 g of peanuts and chickpeas. For a small household with few visitors, 1 kg may be enough; for a big house where visits follow one after another, double it. If you are making bags for the children, allow 50 to 100 g per bag, mixing peanuts, raisins, dates and a few almonds. And if you are expecting a lot of children, increase the peanuts and raisins above all.
Choose well, order in time
Look for walnuts that are light and crunchy, with no smell of stale oil, dates that are supple and glossy, soft figs and raisins that are not stuck together. Achoura week is a very busy time for fakya: order a few days before the holiday, especially for large quantities. At Maison Fakya, you can order by the kilo on the website or send your list on WhatsApp: we confirm what is available and the total, agree on a delivery time with you, and you pay on delivery or by bank transfer. Delivery is free in Casablanca. If you want to give baskets to family members, let us know: we will help you divide up the quantities.
Presenting and storing
Set out a large divided platter, one family of fakya per section, or separate small bowls: walnuts and almonds on one side, dried fruit and dates on the other, peanuts within the children's reach. Make up the children's bags the day before and close them well. Whatever is left keeps in airtight jars, in a cool place away from light. In June, the heat makes walnuts go rancid faster: put them in the fridge, along with the soft dates. In the days that follow, leftover fakya makes a welcome afternoon snack or a treat with tea.
