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The African Gourmet

The African Gourmet: Explore African Culture & Recipes

One bowl of fufu can explain a war. One proverb can outsmart a drought.
Welcome to the real Africa—told through food, memory, and truth.

Christmas & New Year in Africa

FOOD PROVERBS

African traditional healers got it right, to naturally cure a cough, use honey.

Using pure honey to cure coughs is a sound herbal medicine. There are two major reasons African Healers use pure honey to relieve a cough making honey good medicine for centuries; first, DMX may be abusive, and secondly, NSAIDs may increase blood pressure.

Honey has long been used as medicine by African traditional healers.

African Traditional Healing to naturally cure a cough.

Honey has long been used as medicine by African traditional healers.

In Zulu societies, the Sangoma is a highly respected traditional healer, and Nyanga is an esteemed traditional herbalist. Men and women take up the profession after a long training period in Southern African society. 

Survival in the face of human assault, natural disaster, or deprivation has been a conscious concern of African healers. These African healers have a wealth of traditional knowledge of apitherapy and the healing properties of bee products. 

Honey is a natural remedy to ease a cough and sore throat. Taking a tablespoon of honey at bedtime helps reduce nighttime coughing in children over the age of 2 years. It works as well as an over-the-counter cough medicine called dextromethorphan. 

Two major reasons are that using pure honey to relieve cough is sound traditional medicine: Western cough syrups containing DMX are sometimes used as a drug, and for people with high blood pressure, taking NSAIDs could damage their cardiovascular health. At normal doses, DXM is relatively safe.

Dextromethorphan affects the brain, specifically the region that controls coughing. However, at high doses, as much as 10 to 50 times the suggested amount, DXM can cause hallucinatory effects similar to those of PCP. Many Western cough and cold medications contain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs to relieve pain. 

Pure honey

NSAIDs may increase your blood pressure. Cough and cold medicines also frequently contain decongestants. NSAIDs reduce the blood flow to the kidneys, which makes them work more slowly.

When your kidneys are not working well, fluid builds up in your body, and the more fluid in your bloodstream, the higher your blood pressure. Traditional healing, unlike Western medicine, is linked to wider belief systems and remains integral to the lives of most Africans. 

People consult traditional healers whether or not they can afford medical services. Central to indigenous traditions is an awareness of the integral and whole relationship between symbolic and material life.

Traditional healers over the centuries have developed ritual practices that instill the collective memories of the people and their homeland in individual bodies and minds. 

Honey is safe for children over 12 months of age. However, don’t give honey to younger children because raw honey can be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum spores, which can cause botulism poisoning in infants or young children. This is not a danger for older children or adults.

Honey bee

Honey is a sweet thick syrup produced by honeybees. Bees deposit nectar into honeycombs and seal them with beeswax to preserve the honey. Honey has a fairly long shelf life, microbial activity is restricted, and the product is stable for many months.

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African Recipes Organized by Meal Time

African Drinks & Beverages

Snacks & Appetizers

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Desserts

Recipes as Revolution

Recipes as Revolution

When food becomes protest and meals carry political meaning

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African woman farmer

She Feeds Africa

Before sunrise, after sunset, seven days a week — she grows the food that keeps the continent alive.

60–80 % of Africa’s calories come from her hands.
Yet the land, the credit, and the recognition still belong to someone else.

Read her story →

To every mother of millet and miracles —
thank you.

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.