Chic African Culture Blog

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.

African Culture is World Heritage

Appreciate Africa through African art, food, proverb sayings, folklore, biographies, spirituality and African living history.

Growing Berries in South Africa

Types of berries and growing berries in South Africa.

The Koo Valley is well known for its densely planted fruit tree orchards and a brand of canned fruit in South Africa that bears its name.

Growing Berries

The Koo valley lies between the Long and Waboomsberge mountains in Western Cape, South Africa. Lush farmlands arealso well known for Cape Wine lands and the famous picturesque road of Rooihoogte Pass or R318 that passes along the full length of the Koo valley.

The Eastern Cape Berry Corridor hopes to become the largest blueberry producers by 2020. Thornhill Farms in Amathole spearhead the Eastern Cape berry corridor, which is one of the seven districts of Eastern Cape Province.
 
Fruit and berries grown in Koo valley, the berry corridor or your own home garden are a delicious treat packed with vitamins, fiber and cancer-fighting antioxidants.

Blueberries
Below are some common berries grown in South Africa.

Blueberry

Sweet, juicy blueberries are used for fresh eating, or in sauces and baked goods.


Currants

The small, round fruits may be translucent white, red or purple with a rich, tart flavor used for preserves or wines.

 
Elderberry

Similar to currants, elderberries are dark red to purple and make fine wine and preserves.


Gooseberry

This thorny plant produces tart, green berries used in pies and preserves.


Grapes

Are botanically classified as berries. Table grapes are used fresh and may be red, green or black. Small, seeded types have an aromatic flavor and are used for juices and wines.


Huckleberry

Huckleberries are similar to blueberries, and are delicious fresh, or in jams and baked goods.


Loganberry

This cross between a raspberry and a blackberry has a distinct taste and is used commercially in jams and juices.

Raspberry

Raspberries are cold-hardy and long-lived, producing sweet, flavorful fruit suitable for fresh eating, sauces and preserves.

Strawberry

Have an intense strawberry flavor that makes you stand up and take notice. Strawberries are cultivated worldwide with a sweet-smelling aroma, red color, and natural sweetness.

Youngberry 

Byrnes M. Young introduced this hybrid cross between a dewberry and a blackberry in 1905. Youngberries are frequently grown in South Africa.

Raspberries are cold-hardy and long-lived, producing sweet, flavorful fruit suitable for fresh eating, sauces and preserves.
Did you know?
George is a small town close to Cape Town South Africa which hosts a two day Strawberry Festival in September of each year.


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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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Eastern coasts of Caribbean, United States, and South America, are in danger of being blasted by hurricanes wind and rain during hurricane season from June through November. But, why? The scientific reason why is because of Africa’s Sahara desert dust storms and the transition of thunderstorms off the west coast of Africa. The waters in the North Atlantic Ocean are typically at their warmest while the Sahara is at its hottest from July through October, so the chances of a hurricane are highest during these months. African legend, the paths hurricanes follow. Hurricanes are gigantic weather systems using convection, the movement of hot and cold air, to create dangerous storms. They are rotating heat engines powered by the warmth of tropical waters having three main parts, the eye, the eyewall, and rainbands. Hurricanes cannot form just anywhere in the world due to the need for hot and humid air. They normally form close to the equator and move west or northwest. Hurrica
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How to make sweet Nigerian Agege bread

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Pronounced ah-gay-gay agege bread is century old sweet tasting bread very popular with Hausa people in the West African country of Nigeria. Traditional Agege bread is not sold as sliced bread.  Agege is a district in the Ikeja Division of Lagos State, Nigeria. The name Agege bread was created by a Jamaican immigrant, Alhaji Ayokunnu in the town of Agege. His Agege bread was a popular street food for people on the go therefore he opened up a full-time Bakery to where he was providing bread to different stores.  Bread is not an indigenous food to Africans. Agege bread is popular because that's where the first bakery opened up selling this new style of African food on the street to busy Nigerians.    Agege bread is a delicious bread with a very soft center, sweet taste with crunchy crust. Traditional Agege bread is not sold as sliced bread. You can substitute coconut oil for the butter for a different version of Agege bread. Agege bread was created by Alhaji Ayokunnu How to m
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South African Beef Curry Recipe

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Perfect South African Apricot Beef Curry Recipe South African beef curry recipe is a South African food recipe to share around the world while learning about South Africa rainbow nation food history and favorite recipes of Black African, Colored mixed race ancestry, White, and Indian. South African Beef Curry Recipe When it comes to quick and satisfying slow cooker crockpot meals South African Apricot Beef Curry recipe is at the top of the African food dinner recipe list. Use your slow cooker for this simple South African Apricot Beef Curry recipe, it is full of apricot jam, spices and tender beef to serve with rice and grilled bread. How to Make Perfect South African Apricot Beef Curry Recipe Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture By Chic African Culture African food recipe South Africa food is one of the most diverse on the African continent. South African apricot beef curry is an easy delicious slow cooker dinner recipe to make on a weeknight. South Afr
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African cultures express, encourage, and communicate energy

African cultures express, encourage, and communicate energy

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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.

Chic African Culture

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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