The SA Tuck Shop
Where you can feel at home...
South African Food and Drink
A Brief History
In the mid seventeenth century, the Dutch East India Company sent a number people from Europe to start a settlement in South Africa. These colonists were joined by French Protestants (Huguenots); their descendants were known as Boers (farmers) or Afrikaners.
People already living in the region were the San and Bantu (including the Zulu people). The Dutch brought slaves to South Africa from other parts of Africa, Madagascar, Malayasia and Java. Later, in 1860, indentured labour from India arrived to work on the sugar plantations.
The Cape was an important station where ships collected new supplies on their way to the East. Britain was interested in the Cape and following the Napoleonic War the Congress of Vienna assigned the area to the UK. The first British colonists arrived in 1820.
With the introduction of British administration many Afrikaners trekked north to found their own republics. The Great Trek started in 1835 with thousands of Afrikaners moving north. They eventually founded the Boer Republics of the Orange Free State and the Transvaal.
And there you have it the beginnings of our very own food culture, we had to have food that could be preserved easily on the move, Biltong and Droewors (no fridge needed) a POT the could be easily transported by ox wagon and takes very little cleaning and maintenance. Enter the potjie pot. Getting the picture? In fact every true Afrikaner dish had its origins either in the Cape or on route to the Transvaal.
What I find fantastic about South African food is the simply ness of the dishes, no French fussing for us. Just large portions of Meat, fresh veg and Starch and we are happy.
The art of the Braai has become somewhat of a national treasure. Lets face it some countries have tried to imitate us, no names mentioned but there is just something unbelievable appetising about the smell of Boerewors sizzling on the Braai.
What About the Drink I hear you cry
We have nothing to be ashamed of in this department. Cape Town is one of the top wine producers in the world. For those of you who have had the privilege of visiting Stellenbosh or any other of the fine wine farms in South Africa, you will understand when I say that there is a certain African taste that no matter how hard the other wine producing regions of the world try to copy they just don’t get it right. Our red's our FULL bodied and rich our whites range from beautifully sweet to crisp dry's. My personal favourite is a little know wine called angels tears not the most expensive or prestigious by any means but guaranteed to please the pallet every time.
And lets not forget our own version of Moonshine.... Mampoor !!! if you have tasted it you will certainly remember it. As pure as the driven snow this semi illegal drink has keep our farmers busy brewing for years, and hopefully years to come.
But the best is yet to come. Brandewyn. Oh yes the lifeblood of the South African. No matter if its Klippies or KWV that you prefer you cant go wrong with a Brandewyn and coke with loads of ice.
Made you HUNGERY?
Never fear. We have partnered with the best online supplier of South African Food and Drinks in UK.
One click and you’ll feel right at home! Free delivery any where in the UK for orders over £60 “ what are you waiting for “