Thursday, December 16, 2010

Food & Cuisine

                                                       Courtesy of: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/food-in-kenya/4503.html
                                                                  
         

FOODS OF THE KENYANS

Kenya is a multi-racial society, the majority of people comprising native ethnic groups. The rest of the population is Asian, Arab, and European. The official languages of Kenya are Swahili and English.
Traditional Kenyan foods reflect the many different lifestyles of the various groups in the country. Most Kenyan dishes are filling and inexpensive to make. Staple foods consist mainly of corn, maize, potatoes, and beans. Ugali (a porridge made of maize) and meat are typically eaten inland, while the coastal peoples eat a more varied diet.
The Maasai, cattle-herding peoples who live in Kenya and Tanzania, eat simple foods, relying on cow and goat by-products (such as the animal's meat and milk). The Maasai do not eat any wild game or fish, depending only on the livestock they raise for food.
The Kikuyu and Gikuyu grow corn, beans, potatoes, and greens. They mash all of these vegetables together to make irio . They roll irio into balls and dip them into meat or vegetable stews.
In western Kenya, the people living near Lake Victoria (the second-largest freshwater lake in the world) mainly prepare fish stews, vegetable dishes, and rice.(1)


Read more: Food in Kenya - Kenyan Food, Kenyan Cuisine - traditional, popular, dishes, diet, history, common, meals, staple, rice, main, people, types, make, customs, fruits, country, bread, vegetables, bread http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Kenya.html#ixzz18G7cIoXA
                                                   Courtesy of: http://www.kenya-advisor.com/kenya-food.html

 FOOD FOR RELIGIOUS AND HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS

Kenya's religious heritage mirrors its ethnic history. About 65 percent of the population are Christians and 2 to 4 percent are Muslim. The remainder practice traditional native beliefs.
Christmas in Kenya is a time for social gatherings and food. Visitors will stop at the homes of friends and family, and food is served to everyone. Christmas dinner is likely to be fish or nyama choma . Goat or beef is used for nyama choma , although goat is considered a greater delicacy. Vegetables, fruit, and chapattis are often served with chutney.(2)


Read more: Food in Kenya - Kenyan Food, Kenyan Cuisine - traditional, popular, dishes, diet, history, common, meals, staple, rice, main, people, types, make, customs, fruits, country, bread, vegetables, bread http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Kenya.html#ixzz18G7p4hWF
                                                     Courtesy of: http://www.misterseed.com/LATESTnews/JULY2004/LATESTjuly2004A.htm
  
MEALTIME CUSTOMS

A typical Kenyan chakula (meal) is usually a heavy staple food, such as ugali or potatoes, with a side of vegetables. Ugali is typically served on a large dish where everyone can reach (using the right hand). Fruit is usually eaten for dessert in place of sweets.
Mandazi , a semisweet, flat doughnut, is usually eaten at chakula cha asubuhi (breakfast) with kahawa or chai (coffee and tea in Swahili). Chai is served very milky and sweet. The tea, milk, and sugar are put into cold water and brought to a boil. Kenyans also eat chapattis at breakfast and usually dunk it into their coffee.
Lunch is the main chakula of the day. Meat such as beef, goat, or mutton (sheep) is most commonly eaten. Other dishes can include githeri , a mix of beans (usually red kidney beans) and corn, and matoke , or mashed plantains (similar to a banana). Foods served at dinner are much like what is served at lunch.(3)


Read more: Food in Kenya - Kenyan Food, Kenyan Cuisine - traditional, popular, dishes, diet, history, common, meals, staple, rice, main, people, types, make, customs, fruits, country, bread, vegetables, bread http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Kenya.html#ixzz18G87zph4
Courtesy of: garden3.bista.dk

Drinks: Kenya Coffee, Tea and More

Coffee is a Kenyan speciality, as this is a main export product. Although ironically, many places only serve instant coffee. Tea (often called chai) is even a bigger export product and available in many sorts and flavours. The national beer is Tusker. Not only is this very good beer, but a Tusker t-shirt is a standard souvenir to take home.Bottled beer and soft drinks are often served at room temperature - which is warm! - so specifically ask for cold drinks if you prefer that. Kenya is not known for it's wines or liquors, but e.g. rum is also produced locally in Kenya.(4) 
                                                  Courtesy of: planetgreen.discovery.com

                                                        Courtesy of: kenteco.com
References:
(1)- http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Kenya.html
(2)- http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Kenya.html
(3)- http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Kenya.html
(4)- http://www.kenya-advisor.com/kenya-food.html
 

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