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The African Gourmet

The African Gourmet: Explore African Culture & Recipes

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For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage.

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Lightly Sweetened Cocoa Tea Biscuits

African food is a fusion of many different nations. One influence over the centuries is that of the European colonialists.


Lightly Sweetened Cocoa Tea Biscuits

As legend has it, Anna Maria Russell, the seventh Duchess of Bedford is said to have made afternoon tea time a fashionable practice when she complained of "having that sinking feeling" during the late afternoons.

From this time on, a pot of tea and a light snack in the middle of the afternoon became a part of European traditions. One very popular light snack is that of the lightly sweetened cocoa tea biscuit or cookie.

Lightly Sweetened Cocoa Tea Biscuits


Ingredients

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
3 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons of powdered cocoa
2 tablespoons of lard
2/3 a cup of milk or enough to make a firm but not a stiff dough


Directions


Sift all the dry ingredients together, rub in lard with the tips of the fingers. Stir in the required amount of milk. Turn out on lightly floured board, roll or pat out the desired thickness, place close together in a pan and bake 350 degrees 10-12 minutes

Explore more cocoa stories in the Chocolate Hub .

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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.

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To every mother of millet and miracles —
thank you.

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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.

How is content selected for the archive?

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.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

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.

Can researchers access the full archive?

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.