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For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories through food, history, and folklore. Selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage, ensuring our digital timeline endures for generations.

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Coconut mint water instead of drinking soda

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Coconut mint flavored water
Coconut mint flavored water.

Easily make coconut mint flavored water or mix and match your favorite fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices.


The body substantially benefits from us drinking at least 8 cups of water per day. Drinking water may seem like a no brainier but drinking water before each meal can have an effect on the number of calories you eat at each meal.

If you are of the belief that drinking water is a punishment then favor your own water with natural fruits, vegetables, and herbs such as mint. Below is an easy recipe for naturally flavored mint water. You will fall in love making water infusions because of all the different combinations that you can make.

Mint Infused Herb Water

Let's make coconut herb-infused water today instead of drinking soda.


Our recipe at Chic African Culture is perfect for those of you that do not love drinking water. Which is sad because water is best and keeps you healthy. Coconut mint water infusion is very easy to make all you need is a Mason jar, fresh water, fresh coconut slices and fresh mint. Easily make coconut herb flavored water or mix and match your favorite fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices.

Let them rest for a few hours before drinking or for maximum water mint infusion make the night before and then when you wake up in the morning you have delicious coconut mint infused water in the fridge waiting for you.

African food recipes are easy to make at home.

Recipe Coconut Mint Infused Herb Water.

Ingredients
1 gallon of purified water
1 cup fresh coconut cut into small pieces
2 handfuls of chopped mint

Directions
Place all ingredients in a pitcher. Chill overnight.

Coconut herb-infused water
Coconut mint-infused water.
Be sure to wash your herbs before mixing in with your water. Add ice and shake to help crush the cells of the leaves to release the natural oils.


The African Gourmet explores how African food, history, and science intertwine. Here, a plant is a healer, a story is a map, and the kitchen is a laboratory. I’m Ivy — a writer raised by historians, now sharing Africa’s wisdom from the U.S. through cookbooks, cultural research, and storytelling. If you’re curious about where flavor meets memory, you belong here.

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.

Read the Rice Riots Analysis → Try Liberian Rice Bread Recipe
Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

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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.