It is always wonderful to eat the regional food since it actually allows you to get to know a country when you travel someplace. South Africa's food precisely reflects its political situation, having various cuisine for each ethnic group. Particular recipes have actually remained true to their beginnings however various other dishes are a mix of the cooking styles of the various other ethnic groups.
To understand where particular tastes stem from, it's useful to understand how the South African Population is divided. On the one hand we have the native Bantu population, then we have the European colonialists who were primarily Dutch and English, then we have the Muslim community which has developed its own ethnic group over centuries.
The Muslim ethnic group originated in the 17th century, when the colonialists brought slaves in from Madagascar, India and Indonesia. They were forbidden to follow the Christian faith therefore gradually relied on the Islamic religion. They had children with the native Koi and San populations who were likewise enslaved and slowly, in time, gave birth to an ethnic group with physical characteristics which were halfway in between the Africans and Indians.
The food of this new ethnic group is very much affected by the Indian culture, and spices such as cardamom and curry abound. corner stores will sell 'samosas', thin triangular pastry savories filled with veggie or meat curry. Another very common dish is called 'sosaties' which is similar to the kebab found in the middle east.
From the native African population, we have a number of meat recipes which utilize antelope, springbok and ostrich meat. There is a typical Xhosa meal called 'samp', which is made from dried corn kernels which has been partially ground down.
From Dutch descent, we have a specific method of drying meat which produces rather tough, but extremely delicious strips of meat. The word 'braaivleis' is also of Dutch origin and has actually become one of South Africa's greatest culinary customs. Any South African, Malay, Bantu or Dutch descendant loves a 'braai' with friends over the weekend!
The Dutch cooking custom is really quite vast and includes recipes which were used by the first 'Settlers'. One such recipe is called 'potjiekos' and is a veggie and meat stew which is prepared in a 3 leg pot over the fire. In some cases beer or sherry and Indian spices are added to this scrumptious stew.
From the English tradition, we have the typical fish and chips, which have gotten a whole brand-new flair in South Africa! You will be able to taste some of the most remarkable fish cakes you are most likely to ever taste if you go to the little harbor of Hout Bay! The chips are served with vinegar and are aromatic and soft.
When booking your South Africa holidays, make certain to very carefully plan where you will be eating. The very best thing is to go to some good South African bistros that serve most of the national dishes, but also book for a typical Malay meal and a typical Xhosa meal.
Speak to your tour guide, or to some local residents, and see if it is possible to get invited to a braai. In the South African tradition, the men prepare the meat whilst the women arrange the salads. Quite a lot of beer gets served before the food prepares and this makes for a very vibrant event!
To understand where particular tastes stem from, it's useful to understand how the South African Population is divided. On the one hand we have the native Bantu population, then we have the European colonialists who were primarily Dutch and English, then we have the Muslim community which has developed its own ethnic group over centuries.
The Muslim ethnic group originated in the 17th century, when the colonialists brought slaves in from Madagascar, India and Indonesia. They were forbidden to follow the Christian faith therefore gradually relied on the Islamic religion. They had children with the native Koi and San populations who were likewise enslaved and slowly, in time, gave birth to an ethnic group with physical characteristics which were halfway in between the Africans and Indians.
The food of this new ethnic group is very much affected by the Indian culture, and spices such as cardamom and curry abound. corner stores will sell 'samosas', thin triangular pastry savories filled with veggie or meat curry. Another very common dish is called 'sosaties' which is similar to the kebab found in the middle east.
From the native African population, we have a number of meat recipes which utilize antelope, springbok and ostrich meat. There is a typical Xhosa meal called 'samp', which is made from dried corn kernels which has been partially ground down.
From Dutch descent, we have a specific method of drying meat which produces rather tough, but extremely delicious strips of meat. The word 'braaivleis' is also of Dutch origin and has actually become one of South Africa's greatest culinary customs. Any South African, Malay, Bantu or Dutch descendant loves a 'braai' with friends over the weekend!
The Dutch cooking custom is really quite vast and includes recipes which were used by the first 'Settlers'. One such recipe is called 'potjiekos' and is a veggie and meat stew which is prepared in a 3 leg pot over the fire. In some cases beer or sherry and Indian spices are added to this scrumptious stew.
From the English tradition, we have the typical fish and chips, which have gotten a whole brand-new flair in South Africa! You will be able to taste some of the most remarkable fish cakes you are most likely to ever taste if you go to the little harbor of Hout Bay! The chips are served with vinegar and are aromatic and soft.
When booking your South Africa holidays, make certain to very carefully plan where you will be eating. The very best thing is to go to some good South African bistros that serve most of the national dishes, but also book for a typical Malay meal and a typical Xhosa meal.
Speak to your tour guide, or to some local residents, and see if it is possible to get invited to a braai. In the South African tradition, the men prepare the meat whilst the women arrange the salads. Quite a lot of beer gets served before the food prepares and this makes for a very vibrant event!
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