About South Africa Foods

South African food is all about diverse cultures, tastes and experiences.

The list of dishes which have become South African food trademarks is long, but a large number of the dishes owe their existence to the influence of food and cultures introduced to the region by traders, settlers and slaves.

Learning about South African food in the pre-colonial era may help to understand how South African cuisine has evolved. Around 2000 years ago the indigenous Khoisan had begun domesticating cattle, which of course meant that beef became a much more consistent part of their diet. Other components of their African food intake were fruit, nuts, bulbs and leaves and other edible plants, as well as game which would be hunted. The introduction of other foods, particularly maize, played a large role in the evolution of traditional African food. Today maize is seen as an integral part of many South African dishes, especially in the day to day living of the majority of the population.

Colonial influence on South African dishes came with the introduction of various spices from around the world. Since the Cape was used as a rest stop and trading post for ships sailing from Europe to India and other regions in the east, there was no lack of international influence. It was not only the European sailors, traders and settlers who introduced ingredients and recipes, but also the slaves who were brought to the Cape from diverse regions and cultures. Dishes from the Netherlands, France, Germany, Britain, Bengal, India, Malaysia and Java all came together in the Cape of Good Hope. Spices like nutmeg, allspice and hot peppers became commonplace in a melting pot of cultural cuisine.

Today the most popular South African dishes are largely based on key ingredients like red meat or chicken, garlic, ginger, limes, chilli, onions and an assortment of spices. Traditional dishes vary from region to region in South Africa, depending on the predominant culture in the area. The Cape features dishes with Malay influence, like the sweet koeksisters or the sweet curry dish called babotie. The Eastern Cape has a more African feel to dishes, though maize is a staple. Durban is home to many South Africans of Indian decent, and as such you will find that Durban food is often influenced by Indian spices.

To get to know all the magnificent foods of South Africa you will need to explore the diversity of the country and taste dishes from every cultural backdrop. What a splendid way to spend a holiday!