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Photo of Ivy, author of The African Gourmet

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.

Perfect Salted Fish Directions Step by Step

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Follow these steps to make perfect quality salted and fish. Salting is a perfect way of preserving fish. Salting is the preservation of food with salt and is one of the oldest methods of preserving food. Salt prevents the growth of bacteria by drawing water out of fish cells. If properly packed and kept dry, salted fish will keep in good condition for a long time. Cutting up or filleting the fish is good as it speeds up the preserving salting process. Use perfect salted fish step by step for stew and soup recipes. Perfect Salted Fish Directions Step by Step Three most common species of freshwater fish in West Africa are Sardine, Tilapia and Nile Perch. Tilapia is a good flavored fish, easy to prepare and cook. It is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, low in fat, making it a healthy choice for the sick and elderly with risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart diseases and an excellent source of vitamin B12, which is very important in our body to help maintai...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

One Do Wrong All Get Punished Short African Folktale

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One Do Wrong All Get Punished Short African Folktale African folktales teach the right words for justice are vital. African folklore brings people together, read and study more folktales, and short stories from the African continent. Three things to remember when reading African Folklore stories. ❤  ❤ ❤ Folklore storytelling is the most ancient art form of the African Community. Time and effort must be given to becoming an African folklore storyteller, just as any artist must give time and effort to developing their skill. African folklore is as old as Africa herself with a deep appreciation for antiquity expressed in artistic form. African folklore storytelling as a form of teaching. African folklore storytelling has long been accepted as a form of teaching to be defined as a series of events told in such a way that it moves the emotions and the intellect. African folklore storytelling is a spiritual legacy passed down from one generation to another.  ...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Roots of Black Africanized Christianity Spiritual Songs

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Roots of Black Africanized Christianity Spiritual Songs Black African ways of worship shaped spirituals, gospel music, and hymns — leaving a lasting mark on Christianity and musical expression worldwide. African-inspired worship shaped gospel, hymns, and spiritual music traditions. Across Africa, music has long been a sacred force — healing the sick, calling on ancestors, and praising God. Songs accompanied births, harvests, funerals, and daily labor. This deep musical heritage traveled with enslaved Africans to the Americas, where it intertwined with Christianity under both oppression and hope. Slaveholders in North America feared the expressive African ways of worship — drumming, dancing, and ecstatic prayer — labeling them as wild or idolatrous. Many gatherings were banned, forcing worshippers to meet in secret prayer houses and brush arbor meetings. Christianity had been introduced to parts of Africa centuries earlier, but t...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Seed to pod cocoa tree processing

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The process of growing Cacao tree cocoa seedlings to cocoa beans in Africa is worth globally $135 billion, seed to pod cocoa tree processing step. Africa is the center of the chocolate making world. From seed to pod cocoa tree processing step by step.   Cocoa seedlings and shade tree seedlings grown in a nursery.  Cocoa seedlings planted, shade trees planted. Ripe cocoa pods harvested from trees.  Pods broken, cocoa beans and pulp removed.  Cocoa beans fermented under banana leaves.  Well-fermented cocoa beans dried, either in the sun on raised mats or in solar dryers.  Cocoa beans put into sacks for transport.  Weighing and checking at buying the station.  Farmers compensated individually or through co-operatives, premiums paid. About Cocoa beans to chocolate. Cocoa beans are the principal ingredient of chocolate made from the cacao pod. Walk through the process from gro...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

African Proverbs About Stupid People - Wisdom on Foolishness

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African Proverbs About Stupid People - Wisdom on Foolishness African Proverbs Hub > Stupid Things African Proverbs About Stupid People Stupid Things African Proverbs About Dumb People Cultural wisdom and blunt observations about foolish behavior and ignorant actions Note: These proverbs are about stupid behavior are used as cultural teaching tools. They reflect traditional wisdom about recognizing and avoiding foolish actions. Understanding Stupid People African Proverb Language African proverbs that speak bluntly about stupid people or stupid things serve as powerful cultural teaching tools. These sayings are used as memorable lessons about the consequences of poor judgment, ignorance, and foolish behavior. The direct language makes the lessons stick - helping communities remember what behaviors to avoid for personal and collective well-being. ...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Awesome Kenyan Woman Dr. Wangari Maathai

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Kenyan Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai taught her brand of sustainable development, democracy, and peace which won her the Nobel Prize.Dr. Wangari Maathai taught a practical understanding of love for the world. Dr. Wangari Maathai Brief Biography Kenya's Dr. Wangari Maathai was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Dr. Maathai was awarded the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize in the field of humanitarian work founding The Green Belt Movement. Maathai was born in Nyeri, a rural area of Kenya on April 1, 1940. She became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 and the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree. She earned her doctorate from the University of Nairobi in 1971. Dr. Maathai was a Kenyan environmental activist who founded the Green Belt Movement (GBM). In 1976, while she was serving in the National Council of Women, Professor Maathai introduced the idea of community-based tree planting. The GBM, main focus at the t...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Harissa: 5-Minute Homemade North African Chili Paste

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Harissa Red Hot Pepper Paste Recipe Harissa is the iconic seasoning of North African cooking — fiery, flavorful, and easy to make at home. Traditionally served with vegetables, meats, and couscous, this bold chili paste comes together in just 5 minutes once your spices are toasted. Fiery homemade harissa — a North African kitchen essential Ingredients ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 4 hot peppers of your choice, diced 1 garlic clove, chopped 2 tablespoons cumin seeds, toasted 1 tablespoon coriander seeds ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped A small handful of fresh coriander leaves, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon fine sea salt Directions Lightly toast the cumin and coriander seeds in a small pan over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and cool. Add toasted seeds and all remaining ingredients to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Transfer to a clean jar, cover, and refrigerate. ...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Zanzibar Coconut Beans

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How to cook Zanzibar Coconut Beans. There's nothing quite like this classic Zanzibar African food recipe of coconut beans using dry and fresh beans and fresh coconut milk. Coconut milk comes from the white flesh of mature brown coconuts, which are the fruit of the coconut tree. Coconut water is found in young coconuts, you can use coconut water instead of coconut juice but the taste will not be as rich however, the calorie count is lower. Rice and beans are the most common food dish in many African Countries and coconut beans is a hearty African food recipe that is inexpensive to make. Ingredients 1 cup dry red kidney beans 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1 large red onion, diced 1 large green bell pepper, diced 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon salt 3 cups of coconut milk 1 cup white rice 2 cups of coconut milk Directions Add all ingredients except rice and 2 cups of coconut milk into a large pot and simmer 3 hours. In separate pot cook rice in coconut milk for 20 mi...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Liberia Shares Rivers with All Its Neighboring Countries

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Six main rivers flow across the African country of Liberia. Liberia shares rivers with all its neighboring countries. The Mano River forms a border between Liberia and Sierra Leone and the Cavalla or Cavally River forms a border between Côte d'Ivoire. Liberia, located in West Africa, covers an area of 111,370 square km or around 27.5 million acres of land. Just over 14 percent of the total area of Liberia is water from rivers, lakes, swamps, lagoons, creeks, and streams that drain to the Atlantic Ocean.  It borders Sierra Leone to the northwest, Guinea to the north, Cote d’Ivoire to the northeast and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south and southwest. Liberia shares rivers with all its neighboring countries. Rainfall amounts vary a lot in Africa and Liberia is one of the wettest countries in Africa with 45,550 cubic meters of rich natural renewable water resources. Liberia receives 2,391mm of precipitation per year with a climate that is tropical, hot and humid wet, c...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

African Countries Where Prostitution is Legal

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Hoeing is divisive, about African countries where prostitution, buying sex, brothels, pimping, and solicitation are legal by regulations and laws. Most sex workers do not enjoy the sexual acts they perform; working all day and night, sometimes traveling to different towns and villages, many times walking the streets praying, it is scary to be outside jumping in different cars not knowing when you're coming home. They just fell into the life, everyday waking up saying “I have to do this I have to what is needed in order to survive." Why do women and men sell themselves for money? Many do not want to, being arrested for prostitution, sleeping with random people on the streets, in cars and hotel rooms is not the life women of the night envisioned for themselves at the age of five. Young African girls have dreams of a different life than hoeing, dreaming of being a real estate agent, a flight attendant flipping houses. Not giving themselves up stripping dignity away but still ...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Africa’s Land and Maritime Boundaries: Ongoing Disputes and History

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Africa’s Land and Maritime Boundaries Why Africa’s Borders Are So Disputed Africa, the world’s second-largest continent, straddles the equator and has 54 sovereign states . Yet the creation and maintenance of clear national boundaries — on land and at sea — has rarely been straightforward. Many borders were drawn during the colonial era with little concern for cultural, ethnic, or geographic realities. Today, when resources, safety, or national revenue are at stake, unclear boundaries often spark disputes. Clear property lines matter — but in Africa, land markers can be moved, rivers shift, and maritime zones hold valuable oil, gas, and fishing grounds. Land Boundaries Boundary stones or monuments physically mark where one country ends and another begins. However, some nations accuse neighbors of shifting or destroying markers. Others face porous borders that allow refugee flows, migration, and smuggling . For example, Liberia and Ghana have specia...
Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Recipes Explain Politics

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🍚 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.

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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, science, 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 archives 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.