Papaya is also called the fruit of the spirits and Coconuts are called the Tree of Life. Papaya and coconut together create a smooth sweet tropical drink recipe made for an African Safari vacation.

Papaya, papaw or pawpaw has sweet flesh with pungent undertones. The flesh is also soft when ripe with a buttery texture. Papayas grow in all tropical and subtropical countries throughout the world including Africa.  

Coconuts are called the Tree of Life throughout the world because every part of the coconut is used for drinks, fiber, food, fuel, utensils, musical instruments, and much more. Perhaps the oldest reference of coconuts is from Cosmas, a 5th century AD Egyptian traveler. He wrote about the Indian nut after visiting India and Sri Lanka formerly known as Ceylon. Coconuts grow in regions are as far north as Hawaii and as far south as Africa's largest island of Madagascar.

Tzaneen Pawpaw Coconut Chiller Ingredients and Directions

African Recipes by The African Gourmet  

Tzaneen South Africa is rich with tropical fruits, such as bananas, pineapples, mangoes, and pawpaws. 

Ingredients

1/2 cup coconut milk  

1 large banana 

1 1/2 cup of diced fresh papaya  

Sugar optional

1 cup of crush ice, add more if needed

1/2 cup water if needed 

Directions

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Here are some little-known facts about papayas. 

Papayas are technically a berry.

Despite their size and shape, papayas are actually classified as a berry, since they have fleshy fruit and multiple seeds. 

They contain an enzyme that can tenderize meat.

Papayas contain an enzyme called papain, which can break down proteins and make meat more tender. In fact, papain is often used as a meat tenderizer in many cuisines. 

Papayas are high in Vitamin C.

Papayas are a good source of vitamin C, which can help boost the immune system, protect against cancer, and promote healthy skin. 

They come in both male and female plants.

 Papaya plants have separate male and female flowers, and both are needed for the fruit to develop. However, some varieties of papaya are self-fertile and can produce fruit without the need for a separate male plant. 

They can have a range of colors.

While most people associate papayas with their vibrant orange or pink color, papayas can actually range in color from green to yellow to red, depending on the variety and ripeness. 

Papayas can help with digestion.

In addition to papain, papayas also contain other enzymes that can aid in digestion and reduce inflammation in the gut. 

Papayas have been used medicinally for centuries.

Papayas have a long history of use in traditional medicine, and have been used to treat a variety of conditions, including wounds, digestive issues, and even malaria. 

No matter the color, papayas are a versatile and nutrient-rich fruit with many interesting and little-known facts. 

More drink recipes to whip up today.

1. Legal Drinking Age in Africa
2. Ibwatu African Energy Drink
3. Dried Hibiscus Flowers Red Party Punch
4. Viagra Green Fig Tea
5. Sugar Cane Drink
6. South African Amarula Brown Elephant Recipe

Perfect Breakfast Meal

Start your morning off right with Good Morning Strawberry Barley Porridge Recipe.

Good Morning Strawberry Barley Porridge

African Recipes by Chic African Culture 

Strawberry Barley Porridge is a delicious substitute to oatmeal in the morning and a fantastic way to add whole grains to your diet. 

Prep time: 30 min Cook time: 1 hour 30 min Total time: 2 hours

Ingredients

1/2 cup whole barley

4 1/2 cups water, divided

Strawberry jam and milk to taste 

Directions

Soak the barley in 3/4 cup water for 1 hour. At the end of the hour, add the remaining 3 1/2 cups of water to a saucepan cover pot and bring to a boil. Add the soaked barley as well as the soaking liquid to the boiling water and cook on medium heat for 30 minutes or until the barley is soft. Remove the pot from the heat and sweeten with your choice of jam and milk to taste, stirring until fully incorporated.

Did you know?
Nearly half of the world barley crop is used as food for livestock and the other half is used for human food and beer making. South Africa is the largest producer of beer made with barely in Africa and the largest barely grower.

Ceramic tagines are exquisite examples of Moroccan artisan ship, and many are show pieces as well as functional cooking vessels. 

Moroccan tagines make delicious family meals, and the presentation in a clay or glazed tagine is impressive enough for company. Try this basic Chicken Tagine with Potatoes and Carrots recipe.

Moroccan Tagines or Stews

Tagines are primarily used to slow-cook savory stews and vegetable dishes. 

Because the domed or cone-shaped lid of the tagine traps steam and returns the condensed liquid to the pot, a minimal amount of water is needed to cook meats and vegetables to buttery-tenderness. 

This method of cooking is very practical in areas where water supplies are limited or where public water is not yet available.

The traditional method of cooking with a tagine is to place the tagine over coals. Large bricks of charcoal are purchased specifically for their ability to stay hot for hours. 

Smaller pieces of charcoal are reserved for cooking brochettes and other grilled meats.

Using a Tagine at Home

Before using a tagine for the first time, you'll want to season it. Use a tagine in a low heat oven or place it on a gas or electric stove top. 

Use the lowest heat necessary to keep the stew simmering gently. A diffuser – a circular piece of aluminum placed between the tagine and burner – is highly recommended to buffer and more evenly distribute the stove's heat. 

Moroccan tagines make delicious family meals, and the presentation in a clay or glazed tagine is impressive enough for company. Try this basic Chicken Tagine with Potatoes and Carrots recipe.

Turmeric Chicken Tagine with Potatoes and Carrots

Ingredients

1 whole chicken, cut into pieces and skin removed

4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4" thick planks

4 large potatoes, cut into 1/2" slices or wedges

1 large onion, sliced into thick rings

1 small or medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons ginger

1 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon turmeric

1/2 teaspoon saffron threads, crumbled (optional)

1/3 cup olive oil

1/2 cup water

Small bunch of coriander, tied

Handful of red or green olives, rinsed

1/2 of a preserved lemon, cut into quarters and seeds removed

Directions

Pour enough of the olive oil into the tagine to coat the bottom. Layer the onion rings across the bottom of the tagine, and arrange the carrots on top of the onions. 

Add the chicken to the center of the tagine, and place the coriander on top. Arrange the potatoes around the chicken, and then distribute the chopped onions, garlic and spices over everything. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the chicken and potatoes. Add the water to the tagine, and place over medium heat. 

Use a diffuser if you like, but as long as the heat is kept low, a traditional tagine should be safe on a burner. Cover the tagine, and bring the dish to a simmer. (Be patient, it takes a good 10 minutes for the tagine to heat up to this point.) 

Adjust the heat to medium-low or low, checking occasionally to be sure that you can still hear the tagine simmering. Tagine is done when potatoes are fork tender, about 10 minutes. You can use a stew pot instead of a tagine, just add an extra 1 cup of broth to the recipe. Serve over cooked rice or couscous. 

The art of African cooking lies in the blending of herbs and spices, you never know what amazing flavors you might discover.

Make over 300 African Food Recipes

Try new spice recipes of Simple Ground Curry, Chermoula, and Ground Piri Piri to use for a new recipe, it’s time to upgrade your recipe skills to the next level. There is no better way to understand a culture than through its food and spices. Add a new spice aroma to your food life. Ja means eat in the African language Southern Sotho (soh-toh) or Sesotho (se-soh-toh.) Here are three super easy homemade spice recipes from our book A Field of Greens.

Spices are like magic ingredients that can turn any bland dish into something super tasty and flavorful. They come in different forms like seeds, pods, leaves, and powder, and they all have different flavors and uses in cooking. One of the most popular spices is cinnamon, which is made from the bark of a tree. Cinnamon is sweet and spicy and is often used in baking and desserts like cinnamon rolls and apple pie.

Another cool spice is black pepper, which comes from peppercorns that grow on a vine. Black pepper is a bit spicy and is used to add flavor to dishes like soups, stews, and meats. If you like African food, you might have heard of a spice called turmeric. Turmeric is bright yellow and has a warm, earthy flavor. It's often used in curries and other Indian dishes, and it's also known for its health benefits.

Other spices you might know are ginger, which is used in baking and also to make tea, and paprika, which is made from ground red peppers and is often used to add a little bit of heat and color to dishes. Have you ever tried making your own spice blends at home? It's really fun and it's a great way to experiment with different flavors and create something totally unique. The amount of each spice you use will depend on your personal taste, so start with small amounts and adjust as you go. You can always add more later if you want a stronger flavor.

Three Super Easy African Homemade Spice Recipes

Try new spice recipes to make every night for dinner, it’s time to upgrade your recipe skills to the next level. 

Simple Ground Curry

Ghana

Yield about 1/4 cup

Ingredients

1 teaspoon sweet paprika

1 teaspoon coriander

2 teaspoons cumin

½ teaspoon nutmeg

2 teaspoons turmeric

2 teaspoons mustard seeds

Directions

Mix all ingredients well and store in an airtight container away from light and heat.

Chermoula

North Africa

Yield about ¾ cup

Ingredients

1 ½ cups fresh cilantro

2 cloves garlic

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon paprika

1 tablespoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

½ teaspoon black pepper

¼ cup olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

Directions

In a food processor, add all ingredients, process until mixture resembles a thick sauce. Add more olive oil if needed.

Ground Piri Piri

Mozambique

Yield about ½  cup

Ingredients

1 teaspoon dried lemon peel

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon salt

¼ cup cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon red pepper flake

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and store in an airtight container away from light and heat.

Second edition of A Field of Greens has the same favorite recipes we all know and love plus a new chapter on drinks, Ashanti Adinkra symbols and a few more surprises. With 111 easy African slow cooker recipes, fall in love with your slow cooker all over again. 

More economical easy breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes to make right now so you never have to eat or prepare a boring meal again.

1. Curried Tanzanian Coconut Okra Recipe
2. Frikkadelle an Afrikaner dish of meatballs
3. Senegalese Chicken Vermicelli
4. Chadian Steamed Honey Cassava Buns
5. Cameroon Smoked Bonga Fish Stew