Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Did you know?

1. No African country names begin with the letters F, H, I, J, O, P, Q, V, W, X, or Y.

2. Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent.

3. The Republic of the Congo is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa.

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.

Africa is surrounded by water but is not an island, here are a few African Island facts.

Madagascar is the 4th large island in the world and is located in the Indian Ocean supporting a unique biology, about 90% of its plants and animals are found nowhere else on earth.

Composed of 155 islands, Seychelles is Africa's smallest country. By far the largest island is Mahe, home to about 90% of the population and the site of its capital city of Victoria.

Cabo Verde has a strategic location 310 miles or 500 km from the west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site.

Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent. Continents can not be considered islands because of their size and also by historic definition since many people who study geography define islands and continents as two different things.

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Being African in America I have grown up learning about different ethnic cultures. My father and mother are historians of African culture and history and their influence expanded my activities to several best-selling cookbooks, magazine columns, self-branded products, and a popular African culture and food blog.

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Be better than average and support African history and culture. Since 2008 Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet highlight Africa through her food and culture. Contact us culture1africangourmet@gmail.com

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