Food And Food In Nigeria

805 Words2 Pages

This essay is about Nigeria and the food that they eat in Nigeria. I also included what kind of food is presented at the special celebrations, meal time, and how Nigerians gained access to the different spices that they use in their food. There are some interesting medical facts about the food that they eat in Nigeria. Also while reading this essay; there are some comparisons about the fast food restaurants that are in Nigeria and the fast food restaurants in America.
Trade was responsible for changing the flavors of African cuisine. Before trading between continents began, they just had rice, millet (a type of grain), and lentils. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach Nigeria. In addition, this was around the time when they established Nigeria as the slave trade center. Portuguese explorers introduced Cassava to Western Africa. By the 1700s, the British were the main traders of slaves on the Nigerian Coast. They also introduced Cassava, in addition, Beans and Maize. The Explorers introduced Asian seasonings such as pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Nigeria is one of the most ethnically diverse countries: the Hausa and Yoruba is twenty-one percent of the population, Igbo/Ibo is eighteen percent, Fulani is eleven percent, Ibibio is five percent and many others that make up twenty-three percent of the population. Each are has its own favorite dish depending on customs, religion, and tradition. It also depends on the season. For example, the “hungry season” is before the rain arrives in March, and the “season of surplus” which follows the harvest in October and November. In Nigeria they eat fruits and vegetables such as Oranges, Melons, Grapefruits, Pineapples, Mangoes, Apples (not American apples, they are pink, white and tin...

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...nergy for an extended amount of time. Also it could possibly help with Chrons disease. (2) Cassava is used for Gari, Eba, Lafun, Cassava dough, and Cassava chips. It is a good substitution for bread and wheat products because it is gluten free. (3) Bitter leaf is the leaf of, the plant called Vernonia amygdaline. It is proven to be rich in phytochemicals that protect the body against various cancers and help in the treatment of liver cancer. (4) Ogbono is a very good weight loss agent as well as a good sexual enhancement agent. (5) Palm Oil protects from having a heart attack.
The purpose of this essay was to introduce some of the popular dishes and to give insight on a different part of the world. Most of the food that was mentioned in this essay can be found in America. So this really let people see that Nigeria and America have some similarities and differences.

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