Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Did you know?

1. No African country names begin with the letters F, H, I, J, O, P, Q, V, W, X, or Y.

2. Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent.

3. The Republic of the Congo is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa.

Tamarind Mango Jam Recipe

Give Me Some Sweet and Sour Tamarind Mango Jam Recipe


Tamarind Mango Jam Recipe
Tamarind Mango Jam

Tamarindus indica or tamarind tree is native to tropical Africa; the tree grows wild throughout the Sudans, Madagascar and most of tropical Africa. The tamarind fruit is very popular in some regions of Africa and the Caribbean. The pulp is sour and is regularly used to create a delicious jam.




Yields about 3 half-pint jars

Ingredients


2 large ripe mango
1 teaspoon tamarind paste
4 cups of sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter (optional)

Directions


Sterilize three half-pint jars according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Slice mango and place in a medium size saucepan with tamarind and lemon juice. 

 Using a potato masher, begin breaking up mango slices until the texture becomes creamy. Simmer 3 minutes on medium-high heat being careful not to burn. 

 Add the sugar and slowly stir mixture. Add butter to reduce the foam. Boil until mixture is 220F. Do not over boil the mixture or you will make candy. 

 Use a heatproof measuring cup with a spout or ladle jam through a wide-mouthed funnel, leaving ¼ inch headspace, pour jam into prepared mason jars. 

Seal according to canning directions.


Africa is surrounded by water but is not an island, here are a few African Island facts.

Madagascar is the 4th large island in the world and is located in the Indian Ocean supporting a unique biology, about 90% of its plants and animals are found nowhere else on earth.

Composed of 155 islands, Seychelles is Africa's smallest country. By far the largest island is Mahe, home to about 90% of the population and the site of its capital city of Victoria.

Cabo Verde has a strategic location 310 miles or 500 km from the west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site.

Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent. Continents can not be considered islands because of their size and also by historic definition since many people who study geography define islands and continents as two different things.

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Being African in America I have grown up learning about different ethnic cultures. My father and mother are historians of African culture and history and their influence expanded my activities to several best-selling cookbooks, magazine columns, self-branded products, and a popular African culture and food blog.

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