Smen

Smen (or samneh, semneh) is an oil made from clarified butter that is aged and sometimes buried underground. It has a very distinctive rancid aroma and pungent flavour. As the aroma becomes stronger with age, the more prized the smen becomes as a reflection of a family’s wealth. Still considered a delicacy in Morocco, it’s an intricate part of traditional tagines and other dishes.