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For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories through food, history, and folklore. Selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage, ensuring our digital timeline endures for generations.

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Simple Ukwa African Breadfruit Porridge

Breadfruit facts and making a simple breadfruit porridge recipe.

Breadfruit facts.

Treculia Africana or African breadfruit grows throughout Tropical Africa.

Breadfruit name is derived from the texture of the cooked fruit, which has a taste similar to potatoes.

Breadfruits are large, cantaloupe-sized fruit, usually yellow-green in color, with hard, starchy white flesh similar to a potato.

Skin texture of breadfruit ranges from smooth to rough to spiny.

Ripe breadfruit is eaten fresh cooked and when cooking smells like fresh baked bread.

Breadfruit seeds are cooked similar to beans.

Breadfruit goes by many names in Africa, blèfoutou or yovotévi in Benin, afon in the Yoruba language, bafafuta in Hausa and Ukwa in Igbo.



Treculia Africana or African breadfruit grows throughout Tropical Africa.
African breadfruit 


Breadfruit Recipe

Simple Ukwa African breadfruit porridge is easy to make a side dish or a main meal.



Tip: Treat breadfruit as you would a potato.

Simple Ukwa Breadfruit Porridge
Simple Ukwa Breadfruit Porridge


Ingredients
1 breadfruit cored, peeled and diced
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 medium chopped onion
1 teaspoon minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable stock

Directions
In a large pot, add enough water to cover the breadfruit, simmer 20 minutes or until the seeds are soft. In a frying pan add onions, garlic, oil, and sauté, turn heat down, add stock, spices, and the breadfruit. Mix well top with butter and serve warm with any meat and soft bread.

Recipes Explain Politics

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

Africa Worldwide: Top Reads

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.