Some say Africa produces the best organic foods. This can be true. But, how come a recent list of countries with the world’s best cuisine does not feature any of our delicacies? What’s stopping African cuisine from getting international recognition. It is emotional.
Taste Atlas, who describe themselves as a ‘’world atlas of traditional dishes, local ingredients, and authentic restaurants” published their 2022 list of the best 95 cuisines in the world.
Algeria, South Africa and Tunisia were the only three African countries to make it to the top 50. Taste Atlas say rankings are based on audience votes for ingredients, dishes and beverages.
Italy, Greece, Spain, Japan and India were the top five countries on the list. But some questioned the order of the list and why so few African countries (and Australia) made it to the top 50.
The foods that Africans eat have been influenced by their religions, as well as by their climates and lifestyles. The first Africans to inhabit the continent were hunter-gatherers who ate what they could find in nature.
Should such lists be taken seriously. If the voters did not travel to the African continent, they can we rely on them to select the best across the world. Do travelers and tourist have the authority to get a whole picture of our dishes? They don’t.