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. African tech startups raise billions of dollars annually, seven African start-ups were included in the World Economic Forum 2021 cohort of 100 Technology Pioneers.

Traditional South African Gooseberry Jam Recipe

Traditional South African Gooseberry Jam Recipe

Native to Peru and Chile, today gooseberries grow in 34 out of 54 African countries.

Gooseberry fruit is covered in its own papery husk which is botanically called the calyx; the flavor is delicious bittersweet and pleasant with a unique tomato pineapple like blend. 


All parts of the plant, except the fruit, are poisonous.  The fruit is usually eaten raw or cooked in pies, cakes, jellies, and jams. The fruit is rich in vitamin A, and vitamin C.

Gooseberries grow naturally in tropical regions around the world grown for its fruit to use in many recipes and medicinally.

Traditional Gooseberry Jam


Gooseberry Jam is a classic recipe especially in Southern Africa. Gooseberries are high in pectin; making jams and jellies are easy to prepare with the bittersweet fruit.

Gooseberry Jam is a classic recipe especially in Southern Africa. Gooseberries are high in pectin; making jams and jellies are easy to prepare with the bittersweet fruit.


 Ingredients    
2 pounds Cape Gooseberries    
5 cups sugar
1/4 cup water


 Directions
Add all ingredients together, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat to medium and cook, uncovered, stirring frequently 10-12 minutes. Remove from the heat. Ladle the hot jam into processed jars.



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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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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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