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Photo of Ivy, author of The African Gourmet

About the Author

Ivy is the researcher and writer behind The African Gourmet, blending African food, history, and cultural storytelling. Her work is cited by universities, Wikipedia, major news outlets, and global food writers.

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Start Your African Journey

From political insights through food to traditional wisdom and modern solutions - explore Africa's depth.

Rice and Beans Ghana Style

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Waakye Rice and Beans Ghana Style    Waakye is a popular easy to make Ghanaian dish of rice and beans and is a meal itself or served as a side with boiled eggs, salad, grilled fish, chicken, goat, pasta or vegetables.    Prep time: 10 min  Cook time: 30 min  Total time: 40 min     Waakye Rice and Beans Ghana Style  Ingredients 2 cups white rice 2 15.5 ounce cans red beans 1 medium onion, chopped 2 teaspoons garlic salt 2 teaspoons shito (pepper) sauce or 1 chopped hot pepper ½ teaspoon baking soda or 2 dry sorghum leaves 4 cups water Directions In a large pot add all ingredients and simmer until rice is cooked about 30 minutes. Serve with boiled eggs, grilled fish, chicken, goat or vegetables. More easy lunch and dinner rice recipes to make right now so you never have to eat or prepare a boring white rice recipe again. Mozambique Coconut Beans Recipe Black-Eyed Pea C...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Information on Cameroon

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Three quick facts about the Republic of Cameroon Information on Cameroon Three quick facts about the Republic of Cameroon; Mount Cameroon is the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan West Africa and an active volcano, former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country, and The Republic of Cameroon has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Carrying firewood home in Cameroon  How Cameroon got its name. In the 15th century, Portuguese explorers named the area near the mouth of the Wouri River the Rio dos Camaroes (River of Prawns) after the abundant shrimp in the water; over time, the designation became Cameroon in English; this is the only instance where a country is named after a crustacean   Nationality Noun: Cameroonian(s) Adjective: Cameroonian   Life expectancy at birth Total population: 59.4 years Ma...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Berbere Spice Blend Recipe

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Berbere is a popular ingredient in spicy Ethiopian spice blends. It's used to season meats, chicken and veggies, beans, and nuts. Berbere is used in many low-sodium dishes as a salt alternative. Three Berbere Spice Facts. Berbere is a hot spice blend that is an integral ingredient in Ethiopian cuisine. Berbere name means hot in Amharic. Berbere is pronounced bear-bear-ee. Create our easy homemade Ethiopian Berbere spice blend at home. Berbere spice blend made at home is created fresh without additives or preservatives. Recipe for Berbere spice blend Ingredients 1/2 cup ground dried spicy chilies 1/4 cup paprika 1 teaspoon ground powdered ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional) 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice Directions Finely grind fenugreek seeds and combine well with remaining ingredie...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Picking Cotton in Modern Day Africa

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African cotton economy in regards to cotton plantation owners and everyday Benin citizens benefit from the cotton economy but not equally. Cotton in Africa mostly benefits plantation owners, shipping merchants, and the textile industry.   Picking Cotton in Modern Day Africa Where is Benin Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a West African kingdom that raised to prominence in about 1600 and over the next 250 years became a regional power, largely based on its slave trade. Benin is located in Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo. Benin is slightly smaller than Pennsylvania. The languages of Benin include French the official language, Fon and Yoruba, and numerous tribal languages. The population of Benin is mainly located in the south, with the highest concentration of Beninese people living in and around the cities on the Atlantic coast. Most of the north of Benin remains sparsely populated with higher concentrat...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Recipes Explain Politics

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🍚 When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

What if your grandmother's rice recipe could explain the Liberian Rice Riots of 1979?

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations. The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe."

🍲 The Deeper Recipe:

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

This is African Gourmet analysis: understanding how the food in grandmother's pot connects to the protests in the streets. The recipes we inherit carry not just flavor, but the entire history of our political and economic struggles.

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African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why "The African Gourmet" if you cover more than just food?

Great question! While many associate "gourmet" exclusively with cuisine, its true meaning is "a connoisseur" – someone with refined taste and deep expertise. For over 18 years, I've served as a gourmet of African culture at large, savoring and presenting the continent's rich history, vibrant traditions, timeless wisdom, and contemporary stories with the same discerning palate one would apply to fine food. The name reflects my commitment to curating Africa's cultural wealth with authority and passion.

What makes The African Gourmet different from other culture sites?

With 18 years of consistent publishing, I offer depth and continuity that's rare online. I don't just report on African culture – I contextualize it, connecting traditional wisdom with modern realities, and food with folklore, politics, and daily life. It's a holistic view of Africa's past, present, and future, all through the lens of a seasoned cultural storyteller.

How do you choose what to write about?

My content selection is driven by a desire to showcase Africa's incredible diversity and challenge stereotypes. I balance covering foundational cultural elements (like proverbs and recipes) with timely analysis of current events (like the AGOA trade agreement). The goal is always to educate and illuminate the complex, dynamic realities of the African continent.

Do you focus on specific regions of Africa?

My coverage spans the entire continent – from North to South, East to West. While certain stories may focus on specific countries or regions, my mission is to represent the breathtaking diversity of 54 countries and thousands of cultures. I make a conscious effort to include both well-known and underrepresented cultures in my work.

Can I request a topic or contribute to the site?

I welcome thoughtful topic suggestions from engaged readers! While I maintain editorial control to ensure quality and consistency, I'm always interested in hearing what aspects of African culture you're curious about. Feel free to reach out through my contact page with your ideas.

How can I support The African Gourmet's work?

The greatest support is engaged readership – sharing articles you find valuable, participating in discussions, and helping spread cultural understanding. Following the blog and sharing it with others who would appreciate this unique perspective on Africa helps this 18-year labor of love continue to grow and reach new audiences.