The 15 most popular herbs used in South African herbal medicine. Herbal medicine is the art and science of using herbs for stimulating health and preventing and treating sickness.

Herbal medicine has been Africa’s primary form of medicine since the beginning of time. South Africa Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) published a listing of the most popular South African Medicinal plants used in African herbalism by the Nyanga, South African herbal medicine specialists.

Most popular herbs used in the South African Herbal medicine discipline.

Aloe

Leaves have been traditionally used for stomach complaints, hemorrhoids, arthritis, eczema, conjunctivitis, hypertension, and stress. They are also used to treat skin irritations and bruises.

African Ginger

Fresh roots or rhizomes can be chewed to treat influenza. It can also be used for colds, asthma, to treat malaria and by women during menstruation. The plant has also been traditionally used as an appetite suppressant and sedative.

Wild Rosemary

The leaves are rubbed and smoked for asthma and other infections of the throat and lungs.

Cancer Bush

Leaves have been traditionally used to treat fever, poor appetite, indigestion, gastritis, peptic ulcer, dysentery, cancer, diabetes, colds and flu, cough, asthma, chronic bronchitis, kidney and liver conditions, rheumatism, heart failure, urinary tract infections as well as stress and anxiety.

Devil’s Claw

Tubers have been traditionally used for treating diseases of the liver, kidneys and bladder. It can also be used to stimulate appetite, and for indigestion.

Yellow Star

The tuber has been traditionally used for benign prostate hypertrophy, urinary tract infections, and testicular tumors. They can also be used to treat dizziness, heart weakness, nervous and bladder disorder as well as depression.

Milkweed

Stems are widely used as an appetite suppressant, thirst quencher, mood enhancer and as a cure for severe abdominal cramps, hemorrhoids, tuberculosis, indigestion, hypertension, and diabetes.

Everlasting

Twigs and leaves can be used for colds, coughs, infections, headaches, fevers, menstrual pains and others.

Canna

The leaves can be used for the treatment of anxiety and depression.

Wild Garlic

The rhizomes and leaves are used for the treatment of fever, rheumatism, asthma and constipation. The fresh bulbs are boiled in water, the decoctions are taken orally to clear up coughs, and colds and they can be used as a remedy for pulmonary tuberculosis and to destroy intestinal worms. The leaves are used to treat cancer of the esophagus.

African Wormwood

Traditionally it is used for a wide range of ailments from coughs, colds, fever, and loss of appetite, colic, headache, earache, and intestinal worms to malaria, respiratory tract infections, influenza, sore throats, asthma, pneumonia, gastritis, indigestion, flatulence, constipation, gout and measles. The roots, stems and leaves are taken as enemas for febrile complaints, poultices, infusions, body washes, lotions, smoked, sniffed or drunk as a tea.

Pepper Bark Tree

Medicinally, the pepper-like, bitter stems and root bark are used to cure many ailments. Dried and ground, they make a snuff used to clear the sinuses. Taken orally it is believed to cure spots in the lungs. Powdered and mixed with water, they are believed to cure sores in the mouth. The bark, stems, roots and leaves are used to treat colds and respiratory complaints. It is used as a tonic for all health conditions including fever, malaria, influenza, coughs and as a natural antibiotic for chest infections. It is also used for the treatment of venereal diseases, abdominal pain and constipation, cancer, rheumatism and stomach ulcers.

Pineapple Lily

The bulb can be used for backache, to assist in post-operative recovery and to assist in healing fractures. They are traditionally used to treat fever, hangover, urinary complaints, stomachache, colic, flatulence, and syphilis.

Rooi Raba

It is traditionally used for coughs and chest troubles and is effective for bronchitis in children. It can be used for the treatment of infections such as cough, fever, sore throat, as well as fatigue and weakness. Infusions of the tuber are used to treat dysentery and diarrhea.

Horseradish

It is used for medicinal purposes to cure various ailments such as headache, wounds or insect bites, bacterial or fungal skin complaints, gastric ulcers, diarrhea and treat liver and spleen problems, pains of the joints and malnutrition.

Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

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Shimla mirch ki sabzi is a classic South African Indian recipe of green peppers, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, and eight spices. This simple curry recipe is a staple dish in many Durban South African Indian homes.

South African Indian Vegetable Curry Recipe

Shimla mirch ki sabzi South African Indian Vegetable Curry Recipe

Ingredients

3 large green bell peppers, sliced fine

2 large potatoes, cooked and cubed

1 large onion, chopped

1 large tomato, diced

10 fresh coriander leaves

1 tablespoon ginger paste

1 tablespoon garlic paste

2 teaspoons ground turmeric

1 teaspoon red chili flakes or to taste

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon sea salt

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

½ cup water

Directions

Over medium-high heat, add oil into a large frying pan, sauté onions, tomatoes, ginger, coriander leaves, and garlic, together with cumin and coriander powders for five minutes. Add remaining ingredients, and cook on medium heat for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Serve over rice.

How do you cook a cow foot? Easy Cow foot stew recipe is a spicy thick delicacy which cow foot is slowly stewed until tender. Cow foot stew may not sound appetizing, but when slowly simmered it is delicious.

Cow foot is quite tough; you may be able to buy calf foot which is more tender. But if you add a tablespoon of vinegar or meat tenderizer to the stew the cow foot will cook faster. Cow foot makes a thick delicious broth that has a lot of collagen and gelatin. Nigerian Cow foot stew is spicy, but there is nothing to stop you from adjusting the heat to suit your taste.

Cow Foot Stew Recipe

Ingredients

1 cow foot cut up into pieces

6 cups water

2 cups baby carrots or sliced carrots

2 chopped onions

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 large tomato diced

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon red pepper

1 hot pepper sliced

Juice of one lemon or 1 tablespoon vinegar

Directions

In a large pot add cow foot, water and lemon or vinegar. Simmer together slowly until cow foot is tender 2 1/2 hours. Add remaining ingredients simmer 1 hour. Serve with rice.

Cow feet recipes are high in fat and cholesterol but a delicious indulgence to have occasionally.

Cow Feet Stew

Serving Size 4 oz. or about ½ cup

Calories 310

Fat 25 grams

Protein 20 grams

Cholesterol 75 mg

Ginger is a tropical warm climate plant herb used in cooking, spice mixes and medicine. Some ginger growing African countries are Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Nigeria with Nigeria growing ginger on a large scale.

African ginger spice hot buttered popcorn recipe is easy to make and enjoy for your next Netflix and Hulu binge night.

When you say popcorn, most people think of the kind you microwave but popcorn is so much better than that. When popped fresh on the stove, our homemade African ginger spice hot buttered popcorn recipe is as easy to make as boiling water.

 

African Ginger Spice Hot Buttered Popcorn Recipe

Ingredients

1/ 2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels

1/3 cup clarified butter

1 tablespoon coconut oil

 

Ginger Spice Mix

1 tablespoon powdered ginger

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

 

Directions

Over medium-high heat, warm a large heavy pot with a lid and add oils. If your oil starts to smoke, it is too hot. Test the heat of the oil by dropping in two kernels. When the kernel pops or spins in the oil, you are ready to add the remaining popcorn. Pour just enough kernels to cover the bottom of the pan. Shake the pan gently to be certain oil coats each kernel. Cover pot, remove from heat when popping slows or stops. Pour popped corn into a large bowl. Season with ginger spice mix to taste.

Did you know?

South Africa grows more than 2 million hectares of corn per year and for this reason, corn is a staple food in South Africa.  About 40 percent of the total popcorn production is exported to Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Egypt and the former Ivory Coast Côte d'Ivoire.

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While all marriages are susceptible to fraud, money in this African folklore is a hard-hitting lesson about deceit.

African Folklore story rich wife and poor wife.

African Folklore story rich wife and poor wife teaches money does not always bring safety and happiness.

As the elders say, there were two girls whose father told them "You are now old enough to marry." 

Their hearts were glad when they received this permission, and soon they found two fine young men. The oldest sister became engaged to a poor man and the younger to a rich one.

One day the older sister paid a visit to her fiancé, and as he was poor, he could only give her fish to eat and a mat to lie on for a bed. But when the younger went to see her rich fiancé he killed a goat for her supper, gave her a fine bed with soft blankets, and in the morning killed a pig for her breakfast.  

The two sisters happened to meet at the crossroads, they asked each other what presents they had received, and when the younger sister saw the poor gift received by the older, she showed her presents with much vanity and laughed at her older sister for having such a poor fiancé. 

This occurred every time they visited their young men—the

younger sister laughed to scorn the poverty of the elder sister's suitor.

Soon the day of their marriages arrived, and the rich man gave a fat pig for the feast and sent his bride a piece of velvet, a piece of white cloth, and a piece of satin. The poor man could only send some chickens for the feast and give his bride one piece of ordinary cloth.

After the marriage celebrations were over the new wives went to live in the houses of their husbands.

Before many days had passed the younger bride committed a small mistake, and her husband in his anger cut off her ears. In a week, he was angry about some other small matter, he cut off her nose, and the next time she upset him with some small mistake he cut off her head. Thus, she did not live long to enjoy her fine things.

As for the poor husband, he said to his wife "It is not until death comes to me that we shall separate." Riches do not always bring with them happiness and contentment.

Remember the lesson learned from the African Folklore story rich wife and poor wife that money does not always bring safety and happiness.

What is Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration of family, community, and culture. Kwanzaa is not an African Christmas celebration, Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, nor is it meant to replace Christmas. The colors of Kwanzaa are black, red and green. Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration that begins on December 26 and ends on January 1. You do not have to be black to celebrate Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa seven principles are known as the Nguzo Saba. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of seven principles

Kwanzaa what the heck is it

Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration that begins on December 26 and ends on January 1.  The name Kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili term, "matunda ya kwanza", which means first-fruits, Kwanzaa is based on African harvest celebrations. 

Kwanzaa has seven symbols that represent the values reflective of a peaceable world. What are the seven principles? Kwanzaa has seven principles known as the Nguzo Saba (n-GU-zo SAH-bah). The seven principles of Kwanzaa are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

Kwanzaa seven principles are known as the Nguzo Saba

The colors of Kwanzaa are black, red and green; Black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and success that comes from their struggle.

Dr. Maulana Karenga introduced Kwanzaa in 1966 to the Africans of the American diaspora as a ceremonial celebration to welcome the first fruit harvests in the Americas. Dr. Karenga created Kwanzaa “to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture which contribute to the building and reinforcing of family, community, and culture among African American people as well as Africans throughout the world African community”.

What Kwanzaa is not

• Kwanzaa is not an African Christmas celebration or a black Christmas.
• Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, nor is it meant to replace Christmas.
• Kwanzaa is not African rather honors African heritage and culture.
• You do not have to be black to celebrate Kwanzaa as the official Kwanzaa website states, “The principles of Kwanzaa and the message of Kwanzaa has a universal message for all people of good will. It is rooted in African culture, and we speak as Africans must speak, not just to ourselves, but to the world.”

What Kwanzaa is

• People of many faiths, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds celebrate Kwanzaa.
• Kwanzaa is a time for all communities to gather together to celebrate ancestry, African culture, future, and past endeavors and virtues.
• Kwanzaa can be used as a positive force in all communities.
• Kwanzaa pays respect to our beloved ancestors and to our elders for their wisdom, knowledge, honor, and fortitude.

Nguzo Saba

Kwanzaa seven principles are known as the Nguzo Saba. 

Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles:

Umoja (oo-MO-jah) means Unity ~ To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-GOO-lee-ah) means Self-Determination ~ To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.

Ujima (U-Jay-Ma) means Collective Work and Responsibility ~ To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and to solve them together.

Ujamaa (U-Ja-Ma) means Cooperative Economics ~ To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Nia (NEE-ah) means Purpose ~To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) means Creativity ~ To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Imani (ee-MAH-nee) means Faith ~ To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

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3. How many countries does Africa have?
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DNA Mapping Africa Through Genetics

This article is part of our African History Hub — exploring how genetics and anthropology uncover Africa’s ancient legacy.

2025 Update: Since the original study of 121 African populations, whole-genome sequencing across Africa has expanded. New data confirm Africa’s unmatched genetic diversity and reveal even deeper, older lineages across multiple regions (East, South, Central). Findings from consortia such as H3Africa and new genome projects strengthen the Out-of-Africa model while refining timelines, structure, and local adaptations relevant to health.

Dr. Sarah Tishkoff’s Study of 121 African Populations

Dr. Sarah Tishkoff is a professor of Genetics and Biology at the University of Pennsylvania studying Africa's genetics.

There is an extensive amount of ethnic diversity in Africa and genetic evidence continues to point to East Africa as a key cradle of humanity. In 1924 the Taung Child—a fossilized skull of a young child who lived about 2.8 million years ago in Taung, South Africa—was discovered.

Lucy, at 3.2 million years old, was unearthed in 1974 in the Afar region of Ethiopia. In 1987, three scientists announced in Nature that they had found a common maternal ancestor—“African Eve,” a woman who lived ≈150,000 years ago.

The theory holds that all people today share maternal ancestry traced to Africa (the “mitochondrial Eve” lineage), alongside many other deep branches within Africa. In 2008 another species of Australopithecus sediba was discovered in South Africa; it lived about 2 million years ago.

Since 2001 Dr. Tishkoff has studied observable characteristics of ethnically diverse Africans — shape, stature, color, and behavior — that result from the interaction of genetic makeup and environment.

Her studies reveal African history and how genetic variation explains differing susceptibility to disease. Her diversity research also sheds light on modern-day diseases such as diabetes and obesity.

Africa has a high prevalence of several infectious diseases including HIV, malaria, and TB, causing millions of deaths per year. DNA samples from ≈9,000 Africans with distinct diets—hunter-gatherers, pastoralists, farmers—were collected. Tishkoff’s team studied 121 African, 4 African American, and 60 non-African populations.

Since 2020, African-led genomics has accelerated, linking local adaptations to health (e.g., immunity, metabolism, heat stress). This work underpins equitable precision medicine and better risk models for African-ancestry populations.

Oldest DNA Lineages and the Origins of Humanity

The Khoisan people of Southern Africa were once thought to possess the oldest DNA lineages, but those of the Sandawe of central Tanzania are older—suggesting southern Khoisan originated in East Africa. Modern humans arose ≈200,000 years ago and spread worldwide ≈100,000 years ago. New research shows deep lineages in East, Southern and Central Africa, a complex multi-region story within Africa.

With ≈1.3 billion people, Africa’s limitless genetic diversity reveals a shared ancestry for all humans — one continent with many branches.

Learn More About African Genetics and History

Together we build awareness that boosts harmony, education, and success. Explore more thought-provoking articles about genetic diversity and origins:

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African folklore is traditional art and literature passed on through oral communication.  Why the cat and the rat hate each other African Folklore explains why the cat and rat are enemies. 

Why Cat and Rat Hate each other African Folklore

Why Cat and Rat Hate Each Other African Folklore

As the elders say, one day the Cat, the Rat, the Hawk, and the Eagle arranged to take a journey together, but before starting, they agreed not to argue with each other in any matter.

They had not gone very far when the Eagle saw a bunch of unripe palm-nuts, and said, "When these palm-nuts are ripe, and I have eaten them, then we will proceed on our way."

They waited many days until the palm-nuts ripened and eaten by the Eagle, then they started again, and by and by, the Hawk saw a large savannah, and said, "When the bush in this savannah is burnt, and I have eaten the locusts, then we will go."

Therefore, they waited while the bush dried, and was burnt, and the Hawk ate his locusts. They were ready to start again; but when the Rat saw the bush was burnt, he said, "We remain here until the grass and canes have grown again so that I may eat the young canes, for remember we agreed not to argue or oppose each other on this journey."

They waited there some months until the canes grew again, and the Rat had eaten them. Once more, they started on their travels, and on reaching a large forest the Cat said: "Now I will dry my paws."

His companions answered: "All right, we will go for firewood."

The Rat and the Hawk fetched the wood, and the Eagle went for the fire. The Cat put his paws near the fire, but every time it dried he made it wet again by licking it. They remained a long time in the forest, but the Cat's paws never became properly dry: it was an endless job. His companions became annoyed, and the Hawk and the Eagle flew away, leaving the Rat and the Cat alone. The Cat could not catch the Hawk and Eagle and went back to the fire to dry his paws.

At last, the patience of the Rat was exhausted, and he, too, ran away; but the Cat chased him to kill him, and this is the reason why the Cat and the Rat hate each other, he would not wait until the Cat's paws were dry.

Make preserved lemons to eat with meat pastries

Preserved lemons are a staple in Moroccan cuisine. Typically, the rinds, which become soft in texture and mellow in flavor once preserved are sliced thin or minced before added to a recipe.

How To Make Preserved Lemons

Preserved lemons are used in sauces, combined with yogurt for serving spooned over grilled meats or fish, incorporated into salad dressing or used as a spice in soups and stews.

How To Make Preserved Lemons

Ingredients

4 whole lemons

½ cup kosher salt

1½ cups lemon juice

Directions

Cut 4 lemons lengthwise into quarters, stopping 1-inch from the bottom so lemons stay intact at the base. Working with 1 lemon at a time, hold lemon over a medium bowl and pour 2 tablespoons salt into the cavity of lemon. Gently rub cut surfaces of lemon together, then place in a clean 1-quart jar. Repeat with remaining lemons and salt.

Add any accumulated salt and juice in a bowl to a jar. Pour 1½ cups lemon juice into jar and press gently to submerge lemons. Add more lemon juice to the jar if needed to cover lemons completely. 

Cover jar tightly with lid and shake. Refrigerate lemons, shaking the jar once a day for first 4 days to redistribute salt and juice. Let lemons cure in the refrigerator until glossy and softened 6 to 8 weeks. Preserved lemons can be refrigerated for up to 6 months.

By the way, limes make an excellent preserve also

Tangy Tender Lime Pickle Recipe

Lime pickle is made from salted pieces of lime packed in salty, spicy liquor. It is brownish-red and the lime peels are yellow or pale green with a sour and salty taste. It is eaten as a condiment with curries and other meals. 

Lime pickle is a salty, sour and spicy condiment used on everything including sandwiches, meats, and vegetables. If processed correctly lime pickle can be stored for several months. Lime pickle takes many days to make but is well worth the time, your patience will be rewarded.

Lime pickle salmon recipe

Tangy Tender Lime Pickle Recipe

Ingredients

6 limes cut into four pieces
3 cups pickling salt
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons fenugreek seeds
2 teaspoons mustard seeds

Directions

Select ripe but not over-ripe limes with dark yellow skins and no sign of bruising or mold growth. Wash the limes in clean water and dip in hot water for about 5 minutes to soften the skin. Cut each lime into four pieces and soak into a saturated salt solution for 20-30 minutes.

Alternatively, pack the limes and salt in layers ensuring that the top surface is covered with juice. Ferment the packed limes for 24 hours by drying in the sun for 2-3 days. The lime skins will become brown and the pieces are soft and breakable.

After the limes are pickled, roast the spices, grind all the seeds together, and add to the limes. Fill into pots or glass jars and seal. Store in a cool place away from direct sunlight. Store for one month to allow fermentation to take place.

Re-pack in sterilized glass ensuring that no air bubbles are trapped in the pickle. Pour a thin layer of oil onto the surface of the pickle. Store in a cool place away from sunlight.

Lime pickle tacos

Getting to Know Africa

Historical African Country Name
Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa
How many countries does Africa have?

Learn more about Africa.

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Buddhist temples are found throughout Africa. South Africa has the largest Buddhist population on the African continent.

African Buddhist Monk Venerable Bhante Buddharakkhita was born and raised in Uganda and plants Dharma seeds throughout Africa.

Uganda Buddhist Center was established on April 10, 2005, in Kawempe Uganda. Uganda Buddhist Center states "We consider the Buddha's Teachings to be a form of medicine that can end suffering and transform ordinary human beings into perfectly compassionate and perfectly wise beings." The center was founded by Venerable Bhante Buddharakkhita.

Abbott and founder president Bhante Buddharakkhita was born and raised in Uganda, he first encountered Buddhism in 1990 while in India. In June 2001, he began monastic training and in November 2002, he received higher ordination by his Preceptor the late Venerable U Sayadaw Silananda at Tathagata Meditation Center, California. He continued his meditation practice under the guidance of Bhante Henepola Gunaratana for eight years at the Bhavana Society, West Virginia.

African Buddhist Monk in Africa's UgandaBorn in Uganda, Venerable Dhammakami became the first Ugandan Theravada Buddhist nun in November 2008.  After her ordination as a nun, she attended the Fifth World Buddhist Summit in Japan. Venerable Dhammakami is also the mother of Venerable Bhante Buddharakkhita.

The centers yoga teacher Venerable Sangha Rakkhita was born in Rwanda and ordained in Sri Lanka on November 1, 2015. He is a professor of T’ai chi, Chuan style Yang and Ashtanga Yoga.

Bhante Buddharakkhita teaches meditation in Brazil, Europe, Australia, Asia and the United States for more than a decade and he is the spiritual director of Flowering Lotus Meditation Center in Magnolia, Mississippi in the United States.

Bhante Buddharakkhita's book, Planting Dhamma Seeds: The Emergence of Buddhism in Africa tells the story of his religious and spiritual work in Africa. In Buddhism, dharma is the doctrine, the universal truth common to all individuals at all times, proclaimed by the Buddha. Dharma, the Buddha, and the sangha (community of believers) make up the Triratna, “Three Jewels,” to which Buddhists go for refuge.

"Speak well of others, not of their faults."

Buddhist temples are found throughout Africa in the African countries of Algeria, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, eSwatini formally Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. South Africa has the largest Buddhist population on the African continent.

Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

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Biscotti Cookie Recipe

There is no better way to enjoy double-baked Anise Biscotti Cookie than with a cup of Ethiopian Coffee.

In Ethiopia, coffee can still be found growing wild in the forests.

Ethiopian Coffee With Anise Biscotti Cookie Recipe

Ethiopian Coffee With Anise Biscotti Cookies Recipe

Explore more stories in the African Coffee Hub .

Ethiopia is the world’s fifth largest coffee producer and Africa’s top producer. Coffee is Ethiopia's principal source of income and the world's demand for quality coffee is increasing steadily.  More than 15 million people grow the crop for a living, hundreds of thousands of middlemen are involved in the collection of the crop from farmers and supply to the export and domestic market.

A sizable amount of foreign exchange, accounting up to 30% of the total yearly export income, is derived from coffee. Ethiopia is where the coffee plants Coffea Arabica, Canephora and Liberica originates. Three foremost regions where Ethiopian coffee beans originate are Harrar, Ghimbi, and Sidamo also known as Yirgacheffe.

Ethiopian Coffee With Anise Biscotti Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup white sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 cup unsalted butter

2 teaspoons ground anise seed

2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

Heat oven to 350º F. Beat sugar, butter, anise ground seed, lemon peel and eggs in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into rectangle, 10 × 3 inches, on greased cookie sheet.

Bake about 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on cookie sheet 15 minutes. Cut crosswise into 1/2-inch slices. Turn slices cut sides down on cookie sheet. Bake about 15 minutes longer or until crisp and light brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Serve with Ethiopian coffee. Makes 42 Anise Biscotti cookies.

More economical easy lunch and dinner recipes to make right now so you never have to eat or prepare a boring meal again.

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Homemade ginger beer can be hard to find but West African Ginger beer is easy to make at home. The key to making great ginger beer is using lots of ginger. Our Ginger Beer recipe yields six 12-ounce bottles.

Homemade Authentic West African Ginger Beer Recipe

Homemade Authentic West African Ginger Beer Recipe

Ingredients
12 ounces fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
8½ cups of filtered water
¾ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
⅛ teaspoon champagne yeast

Directions
Process ginger in a food processor until finely minced, about 30 seconds, scraping down bowl as needed. Transfer to a medium saucepan. Stir in 4 cups filtered water and sugar and heat over medium heat until sugar dissolves completely, about 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and let steep uncovered, for 1 hour. Pour infused ginger syrup through a strainer.
Press ginger over a cup with a metal spoon to extract any remaining liquid; discard pulp.

Whisk in lemon juice and yeast until yeast is dissolved. Using funnel and ladle, divide ginger syrup evenly among sanitized bottles. Using a sanitized large measuring cup, divide remaining 4½ cups filtered water among bottles, filling each bottle to within 2 inches of top and cap. Shake gently to combine ingredients.

Store bottles in dark place until carbonated, about 48 hours. Transfer to refrigerator and chill to slow down fermentation. If you wait too long to refrigerate, the beer will continue to carbonate and could potentially force the bottles to explode. Ginger beer can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

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Continue your journey at the African Drink Lab — where Africa’s brews, wines, and rituals come alive.

Father African Proverbs

Timeless wisdom honoring fathers, legacy, and love.

Fathers alone—only a father knows his own heart.

For a broader look at masculinity and identity, explore African Men: Identity, History & Culture .

African proverbs about fathers carry timeless wisdom — honoring a father's love, discipline, and legacy.

Wise sayings about fathers

It is much easier to become a father than to be one.

Mean fathers, wasteful sons.

Victory has a hundred fathers, and defeat is an orphan.

A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty.

One father is better than a hundred teachers.

Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance.

A father carries pictures where his money used to be.

A wise man plans for tomorrow; a fool plans only for today.

A man dies, but his word lives forever.

When you follow in the path of your father, you learn to walk like him.

A child can be punished because of his father’s faults.

A bad tree destroys the field.

Fathers alone—only a father knows his own heart.

To be as good as our fathers, we must be better.

He is a good father who serves his children first at the table.

One father supports ten children sooner than ten children support one father.

Together we build awareness that strengthens harmony, education, and cultural pride. Below are more thought-provoking reads:

1. Shashamane Ethiopia — the Rastafarian Promised Land
2. Cooking with shea butter oil
3. Worst serial killers in history are women
4. Indigenous healers and plant wisdom
5. Night running — illness or magic?
6. The “Back to Africa” movement