DISCOVERING 10 FUFU (SWALLOW) VARIANTS IN AFRICA.

Some time ago, there was a #Fufuchallenge on the social media and it was so fun to watch. It was interesting to see so many people try to relish these African delicacies and the reactions were so lovely to see. The only flop was that the majority of those who participated in the challenge thought Fufu is just of a single type. Some said Fufu is from cassava. Some said it is from corn flour.

While they are not wrong, they are not completely right either because the truth is that, Fufu isn't of just a single type, made from a single ingredient. We have different types of Fufu in Africa and today, I will be showing you ten of them.

 

WHAT IS FUFU?

Fufu, also known as 'swallow' because of the manner in which it is eaten (swallowed with some soup/stew) is pronounced as foo-foo or foufou. Fufu is a staple food found in many countries in Central Africa, Western Africa and some Caribbean countries like the Dominican Republic.

Fufu is usually made by stirring, pounding, or kneading highly starchy crops like cassava or wheat into doughs.

Fufus are commonly made from cassava, yams, maize, plantain, wheat, corn, semolina, rice, sweet potatoes, or oatmeal.

For a satisfying, balanced meal, Fufus are usually eaten with African soups of different types. The type of soup determines to what extent you will enjoy your Fufu.

 

HOW IS FUFU MADE?

Fufu is made in different ways depending on the ingredient you are using. If you are using tubers like yam or cassava, or you are using plantain, on many occasions, you would have to peel first, then boil till it softens. Then pound in a large mortar, using a pestle till a stretchy spongy dough is formed.

Thankfully, technology has now made everything beautiful. So, many of these Fufus are available in powdery forms. If you are using any fufu flour then, you would only have to pour an amount into a pot of boiling water and stir till the texture becomes dough-like. This is done over high heat, using a turning stick and stirred very quickly to prevent the Fufu from becoming lumpy.

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DIFFERENT TYPES OF FUFU

As you must have been able to deduce from my explanation from the beginning, Fufu is only a generic name. Different types of Fufus go by different names in different countries and they come in countless variations, tastes and textures.

Fufus can be enjoyed in several ways depending on each person's preference. For instance, some would prefer a particular Fufu with a particular type of stew. Some prefer to eat certain types of Fufus at a particular time of the day or season; majority eat with their washed hands, while some weird ones eat theirs with forks! Oh, why spoil the fun? Haha

So, what are the ten variants of African Fufu that I would be introducing to you today?

1. CASSAVA FUFU

 

Cassava is one of the primary starches used to make fufu. Cassava fufu also known as Akpu, Loi-Loi, Santana is eaten in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte D' Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana, Togo and Benin and more. It is usually made from fermented cassava and can be eaten with any stew of your choice: Groundnut stew, egusi, okra, tomato stew—whichever your heart desires.

2. GARRI FUFU

This fufu, widely known in Nigeria as Eba, is made of roasted, ground cassava (garri). This gives it a grainier texture than the regular cassava fufu. It has a sweet sour taste and is eaten across West Africa. Eba goes well with many stews and soups also, especially Egusi.

 

3. POUNDED YAM

 

This delicious favourite fufu is made from cooked yams, pounded into a dough. Pounding yam into a smooth, mashed potato-like texture requires some arm strength but it's totally worth it in the end. It matches excellently well with vegetable, Egusi, okro or peanut stew.

4. AMALA

Known as Amala in Nigeria and Kokonte in Ghana, this delicious fufu is made from grounded, dried yam and yam peels. Another variant is made from grounded, dried cassava. Amala has a unique, brown (if from yam) or off-white (if from cassava) colours. And it also has a thick, slightly rubbery texture. It is popularly eaten with ewedu (jute leaves) stew by Yoruba people in Southern Nigeria and with edikaikong (green leaf soup) by the Efik people of Cross River State. You can as well enjoy Amala with Ogbonno soup.

5. SEMOLINA

This fufu is made from Durum wheat which is the same wheat that is used in making pasta and couscous. Semolina fufu pairs well with a simple okra or red, tomato stew.

6. CORN MEAL

 

This is commonly known as ugali in Kenya and Tanzania, Posho in Uganda, Nshima in Malawi and Zambia, Sadza in Zimbabwe, Tuwo Masara in Nigeria. It is made from corn meal or millet flour. Its thick texture is similar to a porridge and when allowed to cool and form, it is easy to cut into balls for 'swallow'. You can pair with a number of soups and stews. I prefer cornmeal with 'draw soups' like Okro and Ewedu any day.

7. PLANTAIN FUFU

This is a lighter alternative to yam and cassava-based Fufus. It's basically blended unripe plantains cooked into a thick dough over a stove. It's eaten across West Africa. A variation of it, known as Matoke is widely eaten in Uganda. This Fufu pairs well with peanut soup, palm oil soup, leafy vegetable stew, and tomato stew.

8. OATMEAL FUFU

This is a modern type of Fufu. It came about as people tried to seek healthier ways to enjoy their Fufus. This Fufu is made from blended oats cooked in boiling water and constantly turned with a turning stick into a hardened dough. This fufu tends to dry easily, so it is better to eat it as soon as it is ready. For an even better experience, pair with delicious soups like Okro, Veggies, Groundnut or Ogbonno stews.

9. BANKU

Banku is a Ghanaian Fufu made of corn and cassava dough cooked with salt and formed into a white dough. It can be enjoyed with Shito and fried fish or Okra soup.

10. RICE MEAL FUFU

This rice-based fufu, known as Tuwo Shinkafa in Northern Nigeria, is a sticky, mashed rice meal, turned over the stove with a cooking stick and shaped into balls. It tastes like plain rice but can be enjoyed with any spicy, tasty stew of your choice.


So, Fufus aren't limited to corn flour and cassava alone. I have introduced you to just 10 but Africa even has many more.

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Have you eaten any of these before? Which is your favorite? Which are you planning to try soon? What soup do you love to pair with each of these Fufus? Which Fufu is more popular in your region/country?

You have read from me and I would also love to read from you. So, kindly endeavor to leave me comments in the comment box below. See you again soon!