Cuisine of São Tomé and Príncipe

Location ofSão Tomé and Príncipe

A marketplace inSão Tomé,the country's capital, serves as a venue for local fishermen and farmers.

A close-up map of São Tomé and Príncipe

Santomean cuisinecomprises thecuisine,dishes and foods ofSão Tomé and Príncipe,a Portuguese-speakingisland nationin theGulf of Guinea,off the western equatorial coast ofCentral Africa.The country consists of twoarchipelagosaround the two main islands:São ToméandPríncipe,located about 140 kilometres (87 mi) apart and about 250 and 225 kilometres (155 and 140 mi), respectively, off the northwestern coast ofGabon.

Overview

Domestic food-crop production is inadequate to meet local consumption, so the countryimportsmuch of its food.In 1997, it was estimated that 90 percent of the country's food needs were met through importsincluding meat and food grains.In 2003, it was estimated that 8.33% of the country's total land isarable.

Primary foodcropsinclude bananas,breadfruit,taro,maize,beans,papaya,palm oil,and primaryagricultural productioncrops forexportinclude cocoa,copraand coffee.Fish and seafood is prominent in São Tomése and Príncipe cuisine, and thefishing industrycontributes approximately 25 percent to the country'sgross domestic product.Poultryis also raised in São Tomé and Príncipe.

The nation's cuisine has been influenced and shaped by African and Portuguese settlers.

Common foods

Staple foodsincludefish,seafood,beans,maizeand cookedbanana.Tropical fruitssuch as pineapple, avocado and bananas are a significant component of the cuisine.The use of hot spices is prominent in São Tomése cuisine.Coffeeis utilized in various dishes as aspiceorseasoning.Breakfast dishes are often reheated leftovers from the previous evening's meal.

• Arroz doce(rice pudding) is a traditional breakfast food prepared with sweet corn andcoconut
• Bananapapis aporridge
• Barriga de peixeis a traditional Santomean dish of grilled fish served with rice, breadfruit ormanioc(cassava)
• Blablá
• Broa—cornmeal and rye bread

Calulu

• Cachupais a dish prepared with green beans, broad beans and corn.
• Caluluis a traditional dish prepared withgrouperorsmokedfish,prawns,tomato, okra,aubergines(eggplant), onion, and spices, includinggrains of paradise.Some versions of the dish may include or use smoked chicken, breadfruit,óssame(a red, bulbous fruit) or bananas.It takes around five hours for traditionalcaluluto be prepared.Variations ofcallalooare eaten in other countries
• Chicken
• Chicken withcoffee sauceis prepared with chicken, coffee,white wine,cream, garlic, coffee beans and spices
• Coconut
• Djogo
• Flying fish,both cooked and dried varieties
• Jackfruit
• Mango
• Omelettes
• Boiledporkis a dish prepared with pork, tomato, spinach, onion, garlic and spices

• 
  Jackfruitbeing prepared for consumpution
• 
  Fishermenland their catch offishin Sao Tomé.
• 
  Shrimpand French fries as served in a local hotel, São Tomé

Safous

Grilled safous and bananas

• Safu, short of safous, is theDacryodes edulisfruit

Beverages

Coconut water

• Carioca de limãois prepared with lemon peel and hot water.
• Coconut water
• Coffee
• Soft drinks
• Tea

Alcoholic beverages

• Aquardenteis adistilledbeverage prepared fromsugar cane.
• Nacional is the country's nationalbeer.Other beers, such as Super Bock and Sagres lager are imported fromPortugal.Criollois another brand of beer produced in the country.
• Gravanarumis prepared from sugar cane.
• Palm wineis considered a national drink of São Tomé and Príncipe.
• Poncheis acocktailprepared withhoneyandAquardente.
• Wines,typically imported from Portugal

Street foods

Cookedcorn on the cob.Street vendorsin São Tomé and Príncipe sometimes offergrilledcorn on the cob.

Street foodsincludestews,safú(a fruit) andcorn on the cob.

Delicacies

Estufa de morcegois abat stewdelicacythat is served on saints days and duringfiestas.

Desserts and sweets

• Açucarinhasare prepared from coconut and sugar, formed into patties, and fried inpalm oil.
• Aranhais prepared with coconut, sugar strings and food coloring.
• Canjicais aporridgethat is prepared withcanjicamaize kernels, egg, sugar, cinnamon and water.
• Chocolate
• Chocolate mousse

Canjica

Snack foods

• Banana secais a dried, whole banana that has a smoky flavor.
• Bobofritois a specialty of Príncipe that consists of bananas fried incoconut oil.
• Bread rollswith Portuguese salami and sausages
• Fiosis a snack food prepared withcorn flourand bananas.
• Gigumba(peanut brittle)
• Palla-pallaare crisps prepared withcocoyamor banana.

Condiments

• Piri-pirisauce prepared withmalagueta pepperis commonly available in Santomean restaurants.

See also

• African cuisine
• Economy of São Tomé and Príncipe
• List of African cuisines
• List of African dishes

Further reading

• Weinberg, Samantha (April 2013)."Chocolate and Slavery".Intelligent Life magazine (The Economist). Archived fromthe originalon 2 February 2014.Retrieved8 February2014.
• Rice, Xan (January 15, 2009)."The chocolate king of São Tomé".New Statesman.Retrieved8 February2014.
• Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe: Request for a Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility.International Monetary Fund. pp. 4–5.