Introduction: A soft, spiralled sweet bun studded with dried fruit and spice, the Chelsea bun originated at the Chelsea Bun House in London in the 18th century, where it became so popular that crowds, including members of the royal family, would gather to buy them fresh. Cultural Background: A soft, spiralled sweet bun studded with […]
Introduction: A dense, dark steamed pudding packed with dried fruit, suet and spices, and traditionally soaked in brandy and set alight at the table, Christmas pudding has been the customary end to the English Christmas dinner since Victorian times, often made weeks or months in advance to mature. Cultural Background: A dense, dark steamed pudding […]
Introduction: Sweet, spiced buns studded with dried fruit and marked with a cross of pastry or icing, hot cross buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday in England, with roots stretching back to medieval religious customs marking the start of the Easter period. Cultural Background: Sweet, spiced buns studded with dried fruit and marked with […]
Introduction: A soft, lightly sweet coconut bread roll found across the coastal towns of Bioko and Rio Muni, reflecting both the abundance of coconut palms along the Gulf of Guinea coast and the Spanish habit of starting the day with bread and coffee. Cultural Background: A soft, lightly sweet coconut bread roll found across the […]
Introduction: Small crab-filled pastries reflecting Spain’s lasting culinary footprint, adapted with Gulf of Guinea crab instead of the tuna or chorizo typical of Iberian empanadillas. Cultural Background: Small crab-filled pastries reflecting Spain’s lasting culinary footprint, adapted with Gulf of Guinea crab instead of the tuna or chorizo typical of Iberian empanadillas. Popular as a starter […]
Introduction: Sweet plantain fritters showing the fusion of Spanish frying traditions (buñuelos) with the ubiquitous plantain of Central African cooking. Cultural Background: Sweet plantain fritters showing the fusion of Spanish frying traditions (buñuelos) with the ubiquitous plantain of Central African cooking. Sold hot from street stalls and made at home for special family dinners alike. […]
Introduction: A dense, moist coconut cake found at birthdays and Sunday gatherings across Bioko, leaning on the island’s abundant coconut palms and the Spanish tradition of a good afternoon torta served with coffee. Cultural Background: A dense, moist coconut cake found at birthdays and Sunday gatherings across Bioko, leaning on the island’s abundant coconut palms […]
Introduction: Deep-fried chicken pastries sold from street carts and market stalls in Malabo and Bata, a quick, portable snack that reflects both Spanish pastelito traditions and the practicality of African street food culture. Cultural Background: Deep-fried chicken pastries sold from street carts and market stalls in Malabo and Bata, a quick, portable snack that reflects […]
Introduction: Derho tsebhi is a spiced chicken stew traditionally enriched with whole hard-boiled eggs, and is especially associated with Fasika, the Eritrean Orthodox Easter celebration that follows a lengthy fasting period, when meat and eggs return to the table in a festive way. Cultural Background: Derho tsebhi is a spiced chicken stew traditionally enriched with […]
Introduction: Gelato became a beloved feature of Asmara’s café culture during the Italian colonial period and has remained popular ever since, with locally run gelaterias serving it as a treat in the capital’s historic cafés — a sweet symbol of the city’s distinctive architectural and culinary character. Cultural Background: Gelato became a beloved feature of […]