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The African Gourmet: Folktales, Cuisine & Cultural History

Explore Africa’s Heritage

Explore tales that carry Africa’s wisdom, courage, and humor. From river spirits to trickster animals, every story holds a lesson.

From hearty stews to fragrant grains, experience traditional African recipes and the history behind every dish.

Ancient African proverbs and modern interpretations — explore the wisdom passed down through generations.

Dive into Africa’s kingdoms, independence stories, and modern milestones that shape the continent today.

South African Freedom Amasi Scones Recipe

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Many South Africans grew up drinking sour fermented milk or Amasi which is regarded as a traditional food. Making scones with Amasi adds a unique flavor. Amasi Scones  In the book Long Walk to Freedom, written by Nelson Mandela mentions how he hurriedly left his hideout at a white friend’s apartment when he was on the run from the South African Apartheid government after he overheard two Zulu laborers comment that it was strange to see milk on the windowsill left out to ferment. The two labors were referring to amasi or fermented milk, an ancient probiotic drink popular with many South African tribes but especially with the Xhosa, Afrikaans, and Zulu. Amasi is sour-tasting, great for baking, and can be used as a substitute for buttermilk. African food recipes are easy to make at home. South African Long Walk To Freedom Amasi Scones Recipe. Ingredients 2 cups cake flour, sifted ½ cup butter softened 1 cup fresh blueberries 1 large egg 1 cup Amasi ¼ cup cream 3 teaspo...

Making of African Apostolic Church of John Maranke

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The late Muchabaya Momberume popularly known as Johane Marange in the year 1912 founded the African Apostolic Church of John Maranke. Muchabaya Momberume the story of an African religious pioneer. Men worshiping at Johane Marange Apostolic Church. About Johane Marange. The Johane Marange Apostolic Church is most known for pioneering the famous white garments, teaching Old Testament laws, beards and bald hairstyle. Johane Marange was born Muchabaya Momberume and his father was named Fuleni. While working for Chief Marange, Fuleni fell in love with his daughter in Mafararikwa leading to the birth of Arnold, Cornolius and Muchabaya and some girls. Fuleni, could not afford to pay lobola or a bride price to Chief Marange. As a result, Chief Marange decided to adopt Muchabaya, the youngest of the boys, as payment. That is how he became Muchabaya Marange. Although missionaries had the monopoly on who could preach, Johane Marange's church managed to get registration and th...

Sixteen Landlocked African Countries — Facts, Sizes & Geography

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Africa has the most countries of any continent — 54 in total — and 16 of these (about 30%) are landlocked, with no direct access to the sea. Sixteen Landlocked Countries Are in Africa Out of 49 Worldwide Landlocked African Countries List Landlocked countries are entirely surrounded by land, lacking a coastline on an ocean or sea (though they may have rivers and lakes). Globally there are 49; sixteen are in Africa : Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Largest Landlocked Countries in Africa by Area Here’s how the 16 compare by size: Chad — 495,755 sq mi Niger — 489,191 sq mi Mali — 478,767 sq mi Ethiopia — 435,186 sq mi Zambia — 290,586 sq mi South Sudan — 248,777 sq mi Central African Republic — 240,535 sq mi Botswana — 231,804 sq mi Zimbabwe — 150,804 sq mi Burkina Faso — 105,869 sq mi ...

Cooking and Eating Sweet Potato Leaves

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Bet you would eat more sweet potato leaves if you knew they have five times more vitamin C than other greens such as spinach. While it is true, you will not find sweet potato leaves at your local supermarket or farm-fresh produce stand that does not mean you cannot find sweet potato leaves to cook. Sweet potato leaves are widely popular throughout Africa in cooking recipes but do not get as much use in the United States. Most people have no idea you can cook with sweet potato leaves. Sweet potato leaves are edible and delicious with a soft texture that tastes like kale or spinach. Go outside of your comfort zone and shop at Caribbean or Asian food supermarkets where it is easy to find fruits and vegetables such sweet potato leaves at places dedicated to ethnic cooking. Sweet potato leaves range in color from dark green to yellow to purple depending on the type of sweet potato. The creeping sweet potato vines are most tender when the sweet potato leaves are younger. The good thing...

How to call Africa from the USA

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How to call Africa from the USA Pick up your phone and call a friend in Africa, learn ow to Dial International Long-Distance Calls to Africa from the United States. Everyone in the United States of America knows when you want to dial a long distance phone number from Florida to New York you must dial a 1 then the area code then the seven digit phone number, this is called the North American Numbering Plan. AT and T developed the North American Numbering Plan in 1947 to simplify and facilitate direct dialing of long distance calls. Implementation of the plan began in 1951. The North American Numbering Plan is an integrated telephone numbering plan serving 20 North American countries that share its resources . These countries include the United States and its territories, Canada, Bermuda, Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Sint Maarten, St. Kitts and...

Make Real Tea With Natural Tea Ingredients

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Make Real Tea With Natural Tea Ingredients Make Real Tea With Natural Tea Ingredients Need a hot tea recipe? Learn how to brew flavorful, natural teas with whole herbs and fruits — no mystery tea bags required.  What’s in your store-bought tea bags? Most commercial tea bags contain finely ground tea dust or fannings rather than whole herbs, fruits, or flowers. Bags are often made of paper or food-grade plastic. For a richer, healthier cup, brew tea from fresh, whole ingredients. Tamarind Ginger Tea Tamarind fruit is loved across Africa and the Caribbean for its tangy pulp — perfect for a warming, soothing tea. For a flavorful homemade blend, try our Tamarind Ginger Tea recipe . African Bush Tea Made with indigenous African herbs, African Bush Tea has been used for generations as a healing drink and daily tonic. Papaya Seed Tea Papaya seeds have a peppery taste and are used to brew Papaya Seed Te...

How to Fry Buttermilk Squabs

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The classic way of frying a chicken is the best way to fry squabs.  Although by this method a lot of grease is needed in which to fry the birds, they are not at all greasy when cooked if the grease is kept hot. Fried buttermilk squab recipe to explore delicious squab regional cuisine of Africa and make authentic squab recipe at home. But first... What is a squab? Squabs are young pigeons and are usually expensive as they are considered a delicacy to eat. The birds are very small, the meat is delicate, as their bones are tiny. After the egg has been incubated for seventeen days, the squab lies in the nest for four weeks and in that, time puts on fat, which for lack of exercise is exceptionally tender. The squab, until it is four weeks old, stays in the nest, and is fed with seeds and beans, and kept as fat as possible. The vegetable protein in the seeds is changed to animal protein in the squabs. They are ready for market when four weeks old. In Egypt squab meat is conside...

How well do you know Africa Questions and Answers

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African geography, language, and history and see how well do you know Africa. Mount Kilimanjaro , Africa's highest mountain, is in northeastern Tanzania. Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa and one of only two mountains on the continent that has glaciers the other is Mount Kenya. The official language of Angola is Portuguese. Portuguese is spoken in a number of African countries and is the official language in six African states: Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cabo Verde (Cape Verde), São Tomé and Príncipe and Equatorial Guinea. Many Africans speak Portuguese as a second language. Ngorongoro crater is the largest unbroken caldera in the world. The crater, together with the Olmoti and Empakaai craters are part of the eastern Rift Valley, whose volcanism dates back to the late Mesozoic to the early Tertiary periods and is famous for its geology. The property also includes Laetoli and Olduvai Gorge, which contain an important paleontological record related to human evol...

Worst Female Serial Killer In Recorded History

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Worst Female Serial Killer In Recorded History Ugandan African woman Credonia Mwerinde planned, committed the worst mass religious murders in the world Jim Jones serial murders pale in comparison. Many of the worst serial killers recorded in history are women. Death is a woman possibly still living in Uganda Africa, The Programmer Credonia Mwerinde is the worst mass religious murder in the world. Death is a female from Uganda and her name is Credonia Mwerinde believed to be the worst mass religious murder in the world. Many of the worst serial killers recorded in history are women. Women who society tends to believe can’t engage in such dreadful activities as they are thought of as caregivers and kind.  Mwerinde the Worst Female Serial Killer In Recorded ...

Madagascar and Sisal Plantations

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Wages, government and employment conditions for agricultural workers on a sisal plantation on the world’s fourth-largest island of Madagascar. What is sisal? Sisal plant Sisal is a strong fiber from the spiny leaves of the agave plant. Sisal hemp, or henequen, is the name given to the cleaned and dried fiber of the cultivated varieties of the agave plant. The name sisal may have originated from having been first exported through the port of Sisal, in Yucatan. In Africa, sisal is cultivated for fiber in Angola, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, and Tanzania. In Tanzania and Kenya, sisal is predominantly a plantation crop as opposed to small-scale farming. A coarse and strong fiber, sisal is used in fabrics, twine, ropes, string, yarn, carpets, mats, cigarette paper filters, and tea bags. Sisal is also used in composite materials for cars, furniture, and construction as well as in plastics and numerous paper products. Sisal can also be used to ad...

Green Banana Stew for Dinner Tonight

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Green Bananas Culinary Creativity Green bananas, also known as unripe bananas, have not yet fully matured and are still starchy, firm, and green. Unlike ripe bananas, which are sweet and soft, green bananas have a tangy and slightly bitter flavor with a starchy texture.  Cooking is easy; green bananas can be boiled, fried, baked, or grilled and used in savory dishes like stews, curries, and soups. They are also used to make chips or other snacks; green bananas are a perfect substitute for potatoes in many recipes. You can also mash it as a thickening agent in soups or stews. Bananas are best known for their yellow color, health benefits, and potassium, fiber, and natural sugars, but did you know: Bananas float in water. Bananas are the most popular fruit in the world. Banana skins can be red, pink, purple, or black. More than 1,000 varieties of bananas are grown and eaten worldwide. Bananas are a part of the world’s fourth most important food crop and are the main ingredie...

How Are You Feeling Today? Find an African Proverb or Story to Match Your Mood

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Type or tap a mood. Your storyteller returns a proverb, mini-folktale, recipe, cooking activity, and a cultural note.

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Folklore Meets Science

Folklore Meets Science
African stories that explain the universe

African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The African Gourmet blog about?

The African Gourmet explores African food, history, and culture through recipes, folktales, and proverbs written for curious readers worldwide.

Who writes The African Gourmet?

The blog is written and curated by Ivy, a lifelong historian and storyteller who highlights Africa’s culinary and cultural richness.

How can I find African recipes on this site?

Use the “African Recipes” category or explore posts like African Recipes for regional dishes and ingredients.

Can I share or reprint your articles?

You may share articles with attribution and a link back to The African Gourmet. Reprinting in print or commercial use requires permission.

Where can I learn more about African proverbs and folklore?

Explore our African Proverbs and African Folktales sections for timeless wisdom and stories.

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African Studies

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African Culture and traditions