Cuisine of São Tomé and Príncipe

Santomean cuisine comprises the cuisine, dishes and foods of São Tomé and Príncipe, a Portuguese-speaking island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. The country consists of two archipelagos around the two main islands: São Tomé and Príncipe, located about apart and about , respectively, off the northwestern coast of Gabon.

Overview

Domestic food-crop production is inadequate to meet local consumption, so the country imports much of its food. In 1997, it was estimated that 90 percent of the country's food needs were met through imports. Furthermore, the country is not self-sufficient in meat and food-grain production, and is reliant upon imports of these foods. In 2003, it was estimated that 8.33% of the country's total land is arable.

Primary food crops include bananas, breadfruit, taro, maize, beans, papaya, palm oil, and primary agricultural production crops for export include cocoa, copra and coffee. Fish and seafood is prominent in São Tomése and Príncipe cuisine, and the fishing industry contributes approximately 25 percent to the country's gross domestic product. Poultry is also raised in São Tomé and Príncipe.

The nation's cuisine has been influenced and shaped by African and Portuguese settlers.

Common foods

Staple foods include fish, seafood, beans, maize and cooked banana. Tropical fruits such as pineapple, avocado and bananas are a significant component of the cuisine. The use of hot spices is prominent in São Tomése cuisine. Coffee is utilized in various dishes as a spice or seasoning. Breakfast dishes are often reheated leftovers from the previous evening's meal.

*''Arroz doce'' is a traditional breakfast food prepared with sweet corn and coconut
* Banana pap is a porridge
* ''Barriga de peixe'' is a traditional Santomean dish of grilled fish served with rice, breadfruit or manioc (cassava)
* ''Blablá''
* ''Broa''—cornmeal and rye bread
* '' Cachupa'' is a dish prepared with green beans, broad beans and corn.
* '' Calulu'' is a traditional dish prepared with grouper or smoked fish, prawns, tomato, okra, aubergines (eggplant), onion, and spices, including grains of paradise. Some versions of the dish may include or use smoked chicken, breadfruit, ''óssame'' (a red, bulbous fruit) or bananas. It takes around five hours for traditional ''calulu'' to be prepared.
* Chicken
* Chicken with coffee sauce is prepared with chicken, coffee, white wine, cream, garlic, coffee beans and spices
* Coconut
* ''Djogo''
* Flying fish, both cooked and dried varieties
* Jackfruit
* Mango
* Omelettes
* Boiled pork is a dish prepared with pork, tomato, spinach, onion, garlic and spices

File:JackfruitArils&Seeds.jpg, Jackfruit being prepared for consumpution
File:Sao tome fish.jpg, Fishermen land their catch of fish in Sao Tomé
File:2017 Guadalupe STP (32039704024).jpg, Shrimp and French fries as served in a local hotel, São Tomé
File:Calulu.jpg, Fish ''calulu'', a typical dish from São Tomé and Príncipe

Beverages

* ''Carioca de limão'' is prepared with lemon peel and hot water.
* Coconut water
* Coffee
* Soft drinks
* Tea

Alcoholic beverages

* ''Aquardente'' is a distilled beverage prepared from sugar cane.
* Nacional is the country's national beer. Other beers, such as Super Bock and Sagres lager are imported from Portugal. Criollo is another brand of beer produced in the country.
* Gravana rum is prepared from sugar cane.
* Palm wine is considered a national drink of São Tomé and Príncipe.
* ''Ponche'' is a cocktail prepared with honey and ''Aquardente''.
* Wines, typically imported from Portugal

Street foods

Street foods include stews, '' safú'' (a fruit) and corn on the cob.

Delicacies

''Estufa de morcego'' is a bat stew delicacy that is served on saints days and during fiestas.

Desserts and sweets

* ''Açucarinhas'' are prepared from coconut and sugar, formed into patties, and fried in palm oil.
* ''Aranha'' is prepared with coconut, sugar strings and food coloring.
* '' Canjica'' is a porridge that is prepared with '' canjica'' maize kernels, egg, sugar, cinnamon and water.
* Chocolate
* Chocolate mousse

File:Canjicabaiana.jpg, ''Canjica''

Snack foods

* ''Banana seca'' is a dried, whole banana that has a smoky flavor.
* ''Bobofrito'' is a specialty of Príncipe that consists of bananas fried in coconut oil.
* Bread rolls with Portuguese salami and sausages
* ''Fios'' is a snack food prepared with corn flour and bananas.
* ''Gigumba'' ( peanut brittle)
* ''Palla-palla'' are crisps prepared with cocoyam or banana.

Condiments

* Piri-piri sauce prepared with malagueta pepper is commonly available in Santomean restaurants.

See also

* African cuisine
* Economy of São Tomé and Príncipe
* List of African cuisines
* List of African dishes

References

Further reading

*
*

''Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe: Request for a Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility''
International Monetary Fund. pp. 4–5.

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cuisine Of Sao Tome And Principe

São Tomé and Príncipe culture
Sao Tome And Principe