Africa Factbook

Caramel Candy West African Style Liberian Caramel Candy or Milk Candy is delicious and easy to make having only two ingredients. How to Make Liberian Caramel Candy in Africa Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture Milk Candy is a rich, creamy caramelized candy made throughout the world especially loved in Liberia , Mexico known as leche quemada, Japan, China, and throughout Filipino Pastillas de leche sweet candy making history . Liberian Milk Candy Recipe Ingredients: 2 cans of condensed milk 2 tablespoons vegetable oil Directions: Yummy Milk Candy In a large saucepan, over medium high heat the vegetable oil add condensed milk. Stir constantly until caramel reaches 248 degrees on a candy thermometer.  Remove from heat and cool, 15 minutes . Once mixture is cooled, take small scoops of the mixture and roll into balls.  Press your thumb into the middle of the ball to flatten or shape into desired form. Wrap candy in wax paper a

South African Rooibos Herbal Tea is non-caffeinated with a reddish-brown color and is considered a healthy tea. The leaves of the tea bush are used to make Rooibos herbal tea also called red bush tea. Herbal tea brewed from fresh rooibos Rooibos teas can be hot, at room temperature or iced. Try these three simple dried rooibos tea recipes combinations for one cup 8 ounces of warmish hot water. 1.   1 teaspoon dried peppermint leaves and 1 teaspoon dried rooibos. 2.   1 teaspoon dried rooibos and 1 teaspoon lemongrass. 3.   1 small piece ginseng root and 1 teaspoon dried rooibos. Drinking herbal tea brewed from fresh rooibos is an easy way to get nature's healing strength into your body. Rooibos teas can be hot, at room temperature or iced. There are no hard and fast rules about rooibos tea brewing. Everyone’s tastes and preferences are different. Some like strong rooibos teas and others prefer mild or lightly flavored infusions. A botanist, Carl Humberg rediscovered

Banana leaves are used for cooking, wrapping and food serving in a wide range of cuisines in tropical and subtropical Africa.  How to Cook With Banana Leaves Selling banana leaf wraps in Africa Banana leaves impart an aroma to food that is cooked in or served on them; steaming with banana leaves imparts a subtle sweet flavor and aroma to the dish. The leaves are not themselves eaten and are discarded after the food is eaten. Besides adding flavor, banana leaves are perfect for cooking cook fish, vegetables, rice or just about anything. Banana leaves are used for baking wrapped food in the same way you would use tin foil or parchment paper. It is important to know banana leaf packets should be placed in a baking dish so the juices don't drip to the bottom of your oven.   How to Cut Banana Leaves Use scissors to cut banana leaves into the size you need, depending on your recipe. For wrapping and baking food items, you will need a large leaf. Place enough for o

African men, all men are supposed to be strong and never cry, but manhood and tears are not mutually exclusive.  In fact, crying is healthy. Many view crying as being a sign of weakness and a black man should never show weakness. But, the unavoidable truth is that black men do sometimes feel sad.  Sometimes a little, sometimes a lot, either way it is OKAY for black men to cry.  According to WebMD, having a good cry can sometimes be just what the doctor ordered. In fact, some psychologists even suggest that we may be doing ourselves a disservice by not tearing up regularly. It Is OK For Black Men To Cry Dr. Stephen Sideroff, a clinical psychologist says, "Crying activates the body in a healthy way, letting down one's guard and one's defenses and crying is a positive, healthy emotion. The same thing happens when you watch a sad movie, it touches you, and you cry that process of opening into yourself is like a lock and key." If you are embarrassed

Fried Plantains Kelewele Recipe Ghana Fried Plantains Kelewele Recipe Kelewele (kelli welli) is one of Ghana’s most popular street food snacks sold by street hawkers. Easy to make,   kelewele  are plantain cubes, sprinkled with ginger, hot pepper and fried in palm oil. Kelewele fried plantain snack street food Ingredients: 3 yellow plantains peeled and diced 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon paprika Palm oil for frying Directions: In a frying pan with just enough oil to allow plantains to float, over medium high heat, heat oil then fry plantains until golden brown on both sides. Drain on absorbent paper, sprinkle with spices and serve. Kelewele

Your ancestors are wise, speaking to you telling you not to create, or further deepen, an attitude of bitterness toward your family.  Bitterness is one of the most destructive of human emotions. If a bitter woman takes over the house, the family she rules is doomed African proverb teaches bitterness starts out as hurt and becomes a chronic state of slow burning anger.  Bitterness carries a high price tag. It can harness vengeful acts against loved ones that put them at risk for being hurt or victimized and possibly engulfing them in a never-ending, self-defeating cycle of bitterness. Listen to the ancestors. Everyone has ancestors, even if you do not know who they are, you can hear and feel the presence of your ancestors and they can hear and feel you.   Bitterness, anger and grudges are first cousins.  The longer you hold onto your bitterness, the more you will sink into the negative quicksand of ever-cycling feelings of hatred and resentment.  When someone you care about hurts y