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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.

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

How Are You Feeling Today?

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.

African Gourmet Newsletter

Light African snack spicy popcorn

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African Studies

African Studies
African Culture and traditions