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The African Gourmet

The African Gourmet: Explore African Culture & Recipes

One bowl of fufu can explain a war. One proverb can outsmart a drought.
Welcome to the real Africa—told through food, memory, and truth.

Christmas & New Year in Africa

FOOD PROVERBS

Thick healthy hair the natural way using different types of shea butter.

Ingredients for hair conditioner are found at local markets and mixing the ingredients is easy. Add easy hair DIY African Shea Butter and Honey All-Natural Hair Conditioner for men and women to your hair regimen for thick healthy hair.

Thick healthy hair the natural way.

Types of shea butter made for men and women


One walk down the hair care aisle of the drugstore and you will see dozens of different conditioners and styling products for men and women.


Conditioner does as its name suggests rather than cleansing strands, it conditions the hair follicle and the effects are immediate. Using a conditioner is especially important if your hair is dry or thin. Conditioners contain ingredients that coat individual hairs so they look thicker and do not tangle as easily. No need for his and her hair conditioner products, there is little difference between the sexes when it comes to hair.

What is shea butter? 

African shea butter is cream-colored oil extracted from the nut of the African shea tree. Shea butter is made from the oil of the shea tree and has earned the name woman's gold in Africa because of its economic value to African women.

Types of shea butter:

1. Raw shea butter is shea butter which has not been filtered or molded into shapes.
2. Unrefined shea butter is filtered and sometimes molded.
3. Refined shea butter has undergone processing to remove its odor.
4. Ultra-Refined shea butter has been significantly filtered and processed, which almost always loses the natural goodness of the shea nut. 

Both raw and unrefined shea butter has a distinctive odor if you add a few drops of high-grade essential oil this will improve the scent.

No need for his and hers hair conditioner products, there is little difference between the sexes when it comes to hair. Add easy DIY African Shea Butter and Honey All-Natural Hair Conditioner to your homemade recipe hair files for thick healthy hair.


Ingredients and directions Unisex Deep Conditioner for Healthy Natural Hair

Ingredients:
2 cups Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons raw shea butter
1 very, very ripe banana
2 tablespoons raw honey

Directions:
Thoroughly stir the honey, banana and shea butter together in a small saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat cool, then add yogurt. Apply evenly to sectioned hair. Cover hair with a shower cap for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water. 
 
Did you know?  It takes approximately 20 years for a tree to bear fruit and produce nuts used in making shea butter.

Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

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DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

African Recipes Organized by Meal Time

African Drinks & Beverages

Snacks & Appetizers

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Lunch

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Desserts

Ivy, founder and author of The African Gourmet

About the Author

Ivy is the founder and lead writer of The African Gourmet. For over 19 years, she has been dedicated to researching, preserving, and sharing the rich culinary heritage and food stories from across the African continent.

A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

The African Gourmet is preserved as a cultural resource and is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives.

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Explore our archived collections → DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

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Recipes as Revolution

Recipes as Revolution

When food becomes protest and meals carry political meaning

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African woman farmer

She Feeds Africa

Before sunrise, after sunset, seven days a week — she grows the food that keeps the continent alive.

60–80 % of Africa’s calories come from her hands.
Yet the land, the credit, and the recognition still belong to someone else.

Read her story →

To every mother of millet and miracles —
thank you.

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African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

How is content selected for the archive?

Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

Can researchers access the full archive?

Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.