Is Couscous a Grain or Pasta? The Surprising Culinary Answer
                                
                                
                                •
                                
                                
                        
                                    
                                    4 min read                                
                            
                                Over 2,000 years ago, couscous was first developed in Northwest Africa, and despite its long history, many home cooks are still surprised to discover the truth about its identity. So, is couscous a grain or pasta? The short answer is that it is, in fact, a tiny pasta made from semolina, not a whole grain.