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The African Gourmet

The African Gourmet: Explore African Culture & Recipes

One bowl of fufu can explain a war. One proverb can outsmart a drought.
Welcome to the real Africa—told through food, memory, and truth.

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Almond Orange Blossom Water Ilma Zhar Recipe

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Almond Orange Blossom Water Ilma Zhar Recipe

Almond Ilma Zhar Recipe

In Morocco, orange blossom water is called Ilma Zhar, a phrase in Arabic meaning flower water. Cooking with orange flower water is easy; replace the vanilla extract in your recipe with orange flower water. Also, most fruits and nuts, especially almonds, pair well with Ilma Zhar orange flower water.

Prep time: Cook time: Total time:

Ilma Zhar, or orange blossom water, is a clear, perfumed distillation of fresh bitter-orange blossoms. Orange flower water is an essential ingredient in Middle Eastern and Moroccan cooking. It's produced by distilling an infusion of crushed orange blossoms and water. The resulting perfumed water is sweetly fragrant with orange blossoms but not citrus. 

Orange blossom water serves two purposes in Morocco. One usage is a perfume or freshener, usually given to guests to wash their hands upon entering the host house or before drinking tea, in a special silver or metal container. Still, this old custom is fading away in the present day. However, the main usage of orange blossom water is in Moroccan cuisine, especially as an ingredient for traditional sweets. Peeled slices of oranges sprinkled with orange flower water and cinnamon are an easy, light African dessert. Peaches also work well in this recipe. 

Our favorite recipe is below:

Almond Orange Blossom Water Ilma Zhar Recipe 

Ingredients 
1 cup whole unsalted almonds 
½ teaspoon orange flower water 
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon honey

Directions 
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and serve as a topping, appetizer, dessert or snack. Serve over salad, yogurt, cottage cheese, or ice cream.

Almond Ilma Zhar Salad

In Morocco, orange blossom water is called Ilma Zhar, a phrase in Arabic meaning flower water. Try new recipes to make every night for dinner; it's time to upgrade your recipe skills to the next level.
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Recipes as Revolution

Recipes as Revolution

When food becomes protest and meals carry political meaning

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African woman farmer

She Feeds Africa

Before sunrise, after sunset, seven days a week — she grows the food that keeps the continent alive.

60–80 % of Africa’s calories come from her hands.
Yet the land, the credit, and the recognition still belong to someone else.

Read her story →

To every mother of millet and miracles —
thank you.

Working Hands of Africa

The labor and love that feeds a continent

Hands holding African fruit

African Culture & Traditions

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Hands preparing fufu

How Fufu Explains Politics

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Farming hands in Africa

Slow Food Disappearance

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African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

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Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

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The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

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Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.