Traditional Foods and their Geographical Relevance
(Tanzania)
The cuisine of Tanzania is very unique and is widely interpreted. Coastal regions of Tanzania like Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Bagamoyo, Zanzibar and Pemba like to use foods with a spicier flavour as well as common use of coconut milk. Regions in Tanzania’s mainland consume such foods as Wali (rice), Ugali (maize porridge- a porridge made of corn a popular staple food in the diet of Tanzanians), Chapati (a kind of bread), nyama choma ( grilled meat), mshikaki (marinated beef), fish , pilau an indian dish of rich, wheat, vegetables and spices, biryani and ndizi-nyama (plantains which are unripened bananas containing high levels of starch and low levels of sugar Is used widely in Tanzania as a cooked vegetable with meat). Vegetables that are widely recognised in the country of Tanzania include bamia an Indian dish adapted by Tanzania made with highly seasoned rice and meat, fish or vegetables (okra) a type of bean shoot that is produced in hotter, drier conditions making Tanzania the perfect place to grow okra, mchicha (species of spinach) this is eaten mostly because it is an inexpensive crop to grow and can be easily harvested, easy to cook and the leaves present rich with amino acids essential to healthy wellbeing, it is also able to put up with harsh climatic conditions, njegere (green peas), mahagre (beans) and cassavamu (cassava leaves) theses leaves are usually found on shrubby trees which are cultivated through the tropics, this plant is able to outstand the harsh conditions of the Serengeti plains and can usually be found there close to lakes and ponds.
In the regions of Tanzania many people drink tea known as Chai in the Swahili (official language of Tanzania). The consumption of tea usually occurs in the morning, during the breakfast hours where it is consumed with chapati a thin wholemeal pancake cooked on a griddle. This food originated in Indian cookery but was adapted by Tanzanian cultures when large portions of Khoja Indians began migrating into Tanzania. Tea is also consumed with mandazi a form of fried bread that originated in Eastern Africa within the coastal areas of Tanzania and Kenya, it is made with coconut milk a popular staple of Eastern Africa. The types of tea consumed depend on the region in which you live in countries as well as the tribe in which you live in can also affect the tea that you drink as people usually go for a local brew. Coffee is also a popular beverage in Tanzania and is usually taken in the evenings when the sun is down and people are fashioned around together playing a traditional game of bao (traditional mancala board game). Many people consume their coffee with the added treat of Kashata (this is a very sweet tasting snack made of coconut meat or groundnuts). Soft drinks and bottled beers are also favourable towards Tanzanians.
In the regions of Tanzania many people drink tea known as Chai in the Swahili (official language of Tanzania). The consumption of tea usually occurs in the morning, during the breakfast hours where it is consumed with chapati a thin wholemeal pancake cooked on a griddle. This food originated in Indian cookery but was adapted by Tanzanian cultures when large portions of Khoja Indians began migrating into Tanzania. Tea is also consumed with mandazi a form of fried bread that originated in Eastern Africa within the coastal areas of Tanzania and Kenya, it is made with coconut milk a popular staple of Eastern Africa. The types of tea consumed depend on the region in which you live in countries as well as the tribe in which you live in can also affect the tea that you drink as people usually go for a local brew. Coffee is also a popular beverage in Tanzania and is usually taken in the evenings when the sun is down and people are fashioned around together playing a traditional game of bao (traditional mancala board game). Many people consume their coffee with the added treat of Kashata (this is a very sweet tasting snack made of coconut meat or groundnuts). Soft drinks and bottled beers are also favourable towards Tanzanians.