As I write this, I'm about to depart for a trip to South Africa – my first visit to the country of birth in three years. For months, I've been dreaming of the foods featured in my four decades plus in South Africa, shaping my tastes and interpretation of my heritage. My itinerary, a smorgasbord of meals with attractions peppered in between, unfolds against a beautiful sun-drenched mosaic of bushveld, vineyards and coastline. Here's a taste...
South Africa’s culinary heritage is rich and diverse, Image Credit: Shortmarket Club
I'm travelling to South Africa in March and April, which is autumn. The season suits my preference for cooler temperatures and quieter attractions. The destination benefits by stretching the season, having no jet lag, and thanks to daylight saving, I gained an extra hour from the last Sunday in March!
Season to season, South Africa’s natural beauty never skips a beat
The Rainbow Nation's Love Language of Food
When entertaining, we'll go to extraordinary lengths to make our guests feel all our affection in setting the scene, the table, and the menu to suit our guest list.
Food in South Africa is more than just sustenance; it celebrates life, community, and tradition. Each dish tells a story, often rooted in the country's storied past, present and future.
For instance, Cape Malay cuisine, with its fragrant spices and bold flavours, is a testament to the influence of enslaved Malaysians brought to the Cape in the 17th century. Similarly, Zulu cuisine, with its emphasis on maize and meat, reflects the agrarian practices and communal lifestyle of the Zulu people.
In South Africa, food brings people together, and every dish carries a story ready to be told, Image Credit: Madikwe Safari Lodge
Visiting South Africa: A Recipe For Success
While Cape Town and Franschhoek have put South Africa on the global gastronomy map for haute cuisine, there is magic in even the most mundane morsel.
As a rule, food tastes better when shared in good company. And what could be better than a braai (or barbeque)? Countrywide, meat is typically the main feature on most grids; however, depending on your province, the side dishes vary somewhat.
When in South Africa, you’ve got to braai like a South African, Image Credit: VUUR
South Africa's nine provinces each bring unique flavours to the traditional braai. In the Eastern Cape, you might enjoy maize meal pap, which means porridge, and a hearty tomato-based chilli and vegetable sauce called chakalaka. The landlocked Free State offers corn on the cob known as mielies; the bounty of sweet earth and melted butter meet when taking a bite and braaibroodjies or toasted sandwiches, usually with cheese and tomato.
Gauteng's diverse culture includes garlic bread, five-bean salad, and KwaZulu-Natal features flame-grilled mielies and curried butternut. Limpopo is known for roosterkoek barbeque bread and cheesy pap balls, Mpumalanga for braaied sweet potatoes and spinach salad, and the Northern Cape for boerewors (sausage) and potbrood (bread). North West showcases flame-roasted vegetables and pumpkin fritters, while the Western Cape offers braaied snoek (a local fish) and malva pudding.
Each province's dishes are a lovable gesture in the rapturous relationship with the food we enjoy.
A fusion of cultures makes South African food rich in flavour and variety, Image Credit: Leopard's Leap
Preparing Yourself for Trying New Foods
Trying new foods can be exciting yet daunting. Here are some tips to help you ease into the experience:
- Do Your Research: Learn about the local cuisine before you travel. Identifying some dishes that have ingredients you know you like could help.
- Get Snacking: Begin with familiar ingredients and gradually try more adventurous dishes, little by little. South Africans love snacks and starters – both are a smart way to sample some adventurous dishes like biltong, koeksisters and rusks.
- Be Open-Minded: Approach new foods with an open mind and a willingness to embrace the unfamiliar. Remember, every dish is an opportunity to learn something new about the culture. We welcome questions about our dishes and culinary heritage. Ask away!
Sweet, savoury, and everything in between, South Africa’s snacks hit the spot
Liberating Libations
South Africa's wine industry, rooted in the 17th-century French Huguenots' hopes for a life underscored by freedom, put the Western Cape on the new world wine map.
Today, pairing with our delicious food scene prompts enterprising winemakers, intrepid brewers and daring distillers to push the envelope, producing award-winning fine wine, craft beer and fynbos-infused gin.
Crafted with local flavour, gin is perfect for a safari sundowner
Keeping Culinary Memories Alive
One of the most delightful aspects of travelling is the culinary experiences that linger long after the trip. Here are some tips to stoke those fires of inspiration long after you've returned home:
- Document Your Culinary Journey: Keep a food diary or blog where you jot down your favourite dishes, recipes, and the stories behind them. Include photos to capture the essence of each meal.
- Gather Inspiration: Ask locals for recipes or buy cookbooks that feature traditional South African dishes. Recreating these meals at home can transport you back to your travels. There are cooking courses you can enjoy when visiting South Africa. One of the best ways to sample local flavours and collect recipes is at a makers' market.
- Share with Friends and Family: Host a South African-themed dinner party and share the dishes and stories with your loved ones.
South African chefs inspire flavours long after the trip – bring them home with a cookbook, Image Credit: Fatima Sydow Cooks
South Africa: The Flavour Nation
With 11 national languages, our unifying love for food brings our melting pot of cultures together – one morsel at a time. What is your favourite dish you've tried in South Africa?
Reach out to our Travel Experts, and let’s start planning your flavour-filled adventure. The table is all set for you and your fellow travellers!