Cuisine in Angola
Though Angola is located in South Central Africa the cuisine has a strong Portuguese influence. Today, much of the food that is imported into Angola comes from Portugal. The main ingredients used in Angolan food is flour, beans, rice, fish and chicken. Also used are different sauces as well as sweet potatoes, tomatoes, onions and okra. Many of the dishes that are popular in Angola are Funge and Pirao; these are more commonplace in homes that do not have a lot of money.
These dishes are made with fish, chicken and beans, the Funge de Bombo is commonly found in northern Angola is a paste or porridge and it is made with cassava flour. Most Angolans do like spicy foods and spices are a huge part of most Angolan dishes. There are 4 major ethnic groups inside Angola that carry their own traditional style cuisine. The Ovimbundu Tribes are traditionally farmers and their meals are made with maize, cassava and massambala. The Kimbundu Tribe has food recipes that are similar to Portuguese cuisine. The Bakongo Tribe offers dishes like Doro Wat and this is a Chicken Stew and a Nitter Kibeh and that is a butter sauce.
Pirao is very similar to polenta is made with corn flour and this dish is more common in southern Angola. Another popular dish is Moaba de Galinga or Chicken Muamba; this dish is made with a palm paste, okra, garlic and palm oil. Some of the other common dishes in Angolan cuisine are:
Fish Stew: This dish is made from what Angolans say is whatever is available, it is served with rice. The Muzongue is made from dried and fresh fish that is cooked with palm oil, sweet potatoes, onions and tomatoes. It is believed by some Angolans that these stews have the ability to cure a hangover before you even get the first headache.
Beverages: There are many different beverages both alcoholic and non-alcoholic that are common in Angola. Many of the drinks are homemade and they do include items such as bananas, potatoes and cassava skin. Some of the non-alcohol drinks include the popular Kussangua, this drink is very popular in the Southern region of Angola, and these drinks are made with corn flour. There are also popular drinks such as Coca Cola, Pepsi, Mirinda, Sprite and Fanta.
Beers or Mongozo is traditionally made from palm nuts. The Mongozo was originally brewed by the Chokwe People before the Europeans arrived in Angola. Today, Mongozo is made commercially for export to many countries including Belgium where the beer is produced.
Angola has many great ideas for food. Many of the spices are commonly found in Portuguese or Latin Foods. You may be surprised at how much you like these foods once you try them. Angola has a very rich history in culture and cuisine. If you have the opportunity to do so, plan a trip to Angola and try some of the local foods, you can really get a taste of the culture.