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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 Here: Explore Africa’s Living Knowledge

Learn Africa through science, stories, recipes, proverbs, history, and geography — interconnected, just as life is.

Tzaneen Pawpaw Coconut Chiller

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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...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Good Morning Strawberry Barley Porridge

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Good Morning Strawberry Barley Porridge 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 full...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Chicken Tagine with Potatoes and Carrots North African Recipe

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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 f...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Three Super Easy African Homemade Spice Recipes

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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 des...
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.