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About the Author

Ivy is the researcher and writer behind The African Gourmet, blending African food, history, and cultural storytelling. Her work is cited by universities, Wikipedia, major news outlets, and global food writers.

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Start Your African Journey

From political insights through food to traditional wisdom and modern solutions - explore Africa's depth.

About The Northern Most Region of the African Continent

The Maghreb region Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia share the Atlas Mountain range which extends more than 1,200 miles or 2,000 kilometers, from the Moroccan port of Agadir in the southwest, through Algeria to the Tunisian capital of Tunis in the northeast.

Learn All About The Northern-Most Region of the African Continent And The Atlas Mountains


The highest point of the Atlas Mountain is Jbel Toubkal south of Marrakech, Morocco reaching 13,665 feet or 4,165 meters and is the highest peak in the High Atlas as well as in North Africa. The Atlas ranges dominate the landscapes of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, differentiating them from the other North African countries, where desert geography dominates the Northern African landscapes.
North Africa is a loosely established term for a group of African countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and situated in the northern-most region of the African continent above the Sahara desert.

Learn About The Maghreb region Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.


Morocco

The English name Morocco derives from the Spanish and Portuguese names Marruecos and Marrocos, which stem from Marrakesh the Latin name for the former capital of ancient Morocco; the Arabic name Al Maghrib translates as The West. Marrakesh was the former capital of ancient Morocco while Rabat is the current capital city of Morocco and its second largest city. Casablanca in Arabic Al-Dār al-Bayḍā is Morocco's largest city; Casablanca houses 3.5 million people; Rabat 1.9 million; Fes 1.2 million; Marrakech 1.1 million; Tangier 982,000. Morocco is the only African nation to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines.

Algeria

The largest country in Africa, Algeria is located in Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia. The vast majority of the populace is found in the extreme northern part of the country along the Mediterranean Coast. The capital is Algiers, which has a population of 2.7 million the next largest urban area is Oran 858,000 people. Algeria name derives from the capital city of Algiers whose conventional long form name is the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, the conventional short form is Algeria, the local long form is Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah and the local short form is Al Jaza'ir.

Tunisia

In Tunisia, the overwhelming majority of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the south remains largely sparsely populated. Tunisia, in 1960 began Africa’s first national family planning program reducing its total fertility rate from about seven children per woman in 1960 to two in 2017. Tunisia flag is red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; red represents the blood shed by martyrs in the struggle against oppression, white stands for peace; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam.
 

Did you know?
North Africa is a loosely established term for a group of African countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and situated in the Northern most region of the African continent above the Sahara desert. The term North Africa has no single accepted definition however; the term sub-Saharan African country has drawn sharp criticism since no one demarcated northern Africa and sub-Saharan African.


Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Recipes Explain Politics

🍚

🍚 When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

What if your grandmother's rice recipe could explain the Liberian Rice Riots of 1979?

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations. The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe."

🍲 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

This is African Gourmet analysis: understanding how the food in grandmother's pot connects to the protests in the streets. The recipes we inherit carry not just flavor, but the entire history of our political and economic struggles.

Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

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African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why "The African Gourmet" if you cover more than just food?

Great question! While many associate "gourmet" exclusively with cuisine, its true meaning is "a connoisseur" – someone with refined taste and deep expertise. For over 18 years, I've served as a gourmet of African culture at large, savoring and presenting the continent's rich history, vibrant traditions, timeless wisdom, and contemporary stories with the same discerning palate one would apply to fine food. The name reflects my commitment to curating Africa's cultural wealth with authority and passion.

What makes The African Gourmet different from other culture sites?

With 18 years of consistent publishing, I offer depth and continuity that's rare online. I don't just report on African culture – I contextualize it, connecting traditional wisdom with modern realities, and food with folklore, politics, and daily life. It's a holistic view of Africa's past, present, and future, all through the lens of a seasoned cultural storyteller.

How do you choose what to write about?

My content selection is driven by a desire to showcase Africa's incredible diversity and challenge stereotypes. I balance covering foundational cultural elements (like proverbs and recipes) with timely analysis of current events (like the AGOA trade agreement). The goal is always to educate and illuminate the complex, dynamic realities of the African continent.

Do you focus on specific regions of Africa?

My coverage spans the entire continent – from North to South, East to West. While certain stories may focus on specific countries or regions, my mission is to represent the breathtaking diversity of 54 countries and thousands of cultures. I make a conscious effort to include both well-known and underrepresented cultures in my work.

Can I request a topic or contribute to the site?

I welcome thoughtful topic suggestions from engaged readers! While I maintain editorial control to ensure quality and consistency, I'm always interested in hearing what aspects of African culture you're curious about. Feel free to reach out through my contact page with your ideas.

How can I support The African Gourmet's work?

The greatest support is engaged readership – sharing articles you find valuable, participating in discussions, and helping spread cultural understanding. Following the blog and sharing it with others who would appreciate this unique perspective on Africa helps this 18-year labor of love continue to grow and reach new audiences.