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One bowl of fufu can explain a war. One proverb can outsmart a drought.

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About the Author

A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

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.

Trusted by: WikipediaEmory University African StudiesUniversity of KansasUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalMDPI Scholarly Journals.
Explore our archived collections → DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

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Recipes as Revolution

When food becomes protest and meals carry political meaning

Lemon Greens Recipe

Most citrus groves in Egypt are located the North of the African country.


Most citrus groves in Egypt are located the North of the African country.
Citrus is the main fruit crop in Egypt
The true origin of the lemon is unknown. African countries which lemons are exported are Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia; around 75% of the lemons grown are locally consumed. 

Egypt mainly sells to the Gulf, Russia and Europe. The Egyptian harvest is 2 months earlier than Spain and other Mediterranean countries.

Citrus is the main fruit crop in Egypt. Most citrus groves in Egypt are located the North of the country producing the Egyptian, Eureka, Rough, Lisbon and Villafranca lemon variety while Eureka and Lisbon are the most widely cultivated lemon variety in South Africa.


Lemon Greens Recipe

Ingredients
1 bunch of your favorite greens cut in thin ribbons
1 crushed garlic clove
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon olive oil
Juice of ½ lemon
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
In large skillet, sauté garlic and onion in oil over a medium heat. Add greens and cook until just wilted. Remove from heat. Pour lemon juice over greens and season with salt and pepper. 

How to select lemons

· Choose medium to large lemons that are heavy for their size. The heaviness signifies lots of juice.

· Lemons should have a smooth firm surface. You can tell if the skin is smooth by touch but also it should look a little bit shiny.

· Avoid lemons that are wrinkly, soft, have bumpy and/or hard skin. These are signs that the lemon is old and decomposing.

Random Lemon Facts

· Lemons are grown in both dry and humid environments and tolerate infertile, poor soil.

· Lemons are a good source of vitamin C, rich in minerals as calcium and potassium.

· Lemons have a shelf life ranging between 2 and 20 weeks.

· Lemons create one of nature's major sources of potassium.

· Lemons are technically berries.

· Lemon is an evergreen plant that belongs to the family Rutaceae.

· Lemons are nature’s top source of citric acid, a life essential found in the cells of all living creatures.

· Fresh squeezed lemon in a glass of water is said to cleanse the liver.

· Lemons are also believed to stimulate the metabolism.

· A halved lemon dipped in salt or baking powder can be used to brighten copper and silver cookware.
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.

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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.