26+ Most Popular South African Foods You Should Know 2022
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Loading... - Ophelia Stevenson
- 10 Jun 2022
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South African foods or cuisine have had a significant influence on other cuisines. Although not many people know about some famous dishes’ origins, you probably know their different variations, like fried plantains (typical of Latin American cuisine).
Today, let me introduce you to some of the delicious dishes of this diverse and rustic cuisine. Many unique and enjoyable treats from South Africa are waiting for you below.
South African Desserts To Make Snack Time Fun Again
I promise you, every dish in this South African sweet treats suggestion will absolutely be toothsome. Some might even amaze you with their meaning or goodness. It is time to verify it yourself!
1. Koeksisters (Plaited Doughnut)
This treat is the classic sweet treat for Afrikaners, especially children. When asking any children on the streets about their favorite foods, they might mention these koeksisters.
The idea to create the dish is quite simple, with only fried plaited dough and honey (or sugar syrup coated), yet this dish will make you cannot stop eating. Sometimes, the simplicity brings out the allurement.
If you go to the town of Orania, you will find a statue of koeksisters. They build that statue to celebrate the women who sell things and donate money for local public facilities like schools and churches.
2. Melktert (Milk Tart)
This melktert was created when the Dutch settlers came to the Cape Colony in the 17th century. The food was inspired by their homeland’s mattentaart.
The fascinating South African recipe includes crunchy crust with milky and creamy custard. It is always topped with powdered cinnamon, so these sweets are exceptionally fragrant.
You might confuse it with Pastel De Nata, a classic recipe from Portugal, yet the melktert is much eggier and milkier. My tip for you here is if you have any leftovers, don’t toss your sweet treat into the freezer, or the texture and flavor will change.
3. Malva Pudding
In Afrikaans, the word “Malva” stands for a plant with rose-scent or fragrant lemon geranium. It also leads to a theory about the name of this simple sponge cake is its batter was flavored by the leaves initially.
Yet, there are still some other theories, such as the cake was named after a woman called Malva or a particular liquor, Malvasia. A highly regarded dish in Africa, Malva tends to be served hot with jam or custard in the Sourthen regions.
The treat is so delicious that it is also famous on the West Coast of the US, thanks to Art Smith, who was Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef. He decided to bring Malva pudding to her Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa’s Christmas party dinner in 2006.
4. Hertzoggie (Hertzog Cookies)
The cookie is named after a 20th-century South African politician, J. B. M. Hertzog, because it was his favorite, and his supporters wanted to call it that way.
This Hertzoggie or Hertzogkoekie dish consists of a pastry base with apricot jam and topped with toasted coconut meringue. To relieve the greasy taste, people will often eat it with English brewed tea.
Light bitterness from tea and sweetness from the cookies blended with the other will create a great taste. Furthermore, Hertzoggie is also the inspiration for Jan Smuts cookies with a sweet apricot jam filling with creamed butter and sugar instead of meringue.
5. Rusk
When it comes to the origin of this dish, we have to talk about the late 1690s. That is the time when South Africans wanted to create a breakfast cake that they could preserve for a long time.
They often bring this dish when they have a prolonged trip as dry food, and it can still retain its crispiness.
You might compare this dish to the traditional Indian biscotti because it also includes buttermilk, raisin, is baked twice, and can be soaked in coffee. Yet, the taste will be totally distinguished, and you should try it once.
Today South Africans eat this dish at all meals of the day and eat it as a snack. When you go to a South African’s home, they’ll likely offer you this as a delicious snack with tea. Read More…
