As a woman, the most difficult part of my living abroad was when I was pregnant. Unfortunately for me I craved Nigerian food. Even though we lived in a very cosmopolitan town, it was far from any well-stocked ethnic food shops you’d find in Dalston or Brixton. Even then, any Nigerian will tell you that Agbalumo is not a fruit you can find easily even in Nigeria itself. It’s a very seasonal fruit mostly available at the beginning of the year. I love the stuff!
My husband was really fortunate that of all the things I craved Agbalumo was not one of them. However, I craved anything spicy so the likes of Egusi (melon soup) and Efo Riro (vegetable soup) were very welcome. So, at weekends he would try to whip some up. Of course by Wednesday, it would all be history. For comfort, we would go shopping at Tesco and even though I’d come across a much loved meal like Moussaka and a Nigerian treat like Super Malt, I often wished there was packaged Jollof Rice.
I hope someone somewhere is already thinking of this. And please if you have come across some do let me know. I was speaking to a pregnant friend recently and she also mentioned just being able to pick up a pack of egusi soup in a store as she lives in a really small town and has to travel 3 hours into London before she can get her hands on Nigerian groceries.
I think the best deal of all would be to get some home delivered though. I welcome whichever comes first. By the way, I found Agbalumo listed as one of the 111 Fruits to Eat Before You Die. Be sure to add it to your to-do list when you’re travelling to Nigeria.
Very funny indeed! I suppose one of you should offer the recipe and idea to Tesco. My worry is that of durabilty and the use of chemicals for preservation. Nothing can be better than home, hot and spicy equsi soup. By the way, I wonder why Africa restaurants are not as common as Indian, Chinese, Bagladeshi and Thai ones. I am sure we have a lot to offer. I suppose this is where to start.
my sister that is nota fair, why should someone givenchy thesaurus recipe to tesco, só that they cana critise ouro food further. Is haver been cooking and packing authentic jollof andy ouro food for they pasta months. Ama been demolised byte beuc.. But thanks to godard almighity itv is onde they go.
Look for stewsnsoups andy see they difference between jollof rice andy asian vindoff rice.
Regards
What is stopping you from looking into doing it?
My question is genuine and not in any way trying to get at you. You may have found a gap in the market or not but at least you tried to sort it out.
Lots of other rice dishes are sold as microwave/oven meals. It is all about the research of how it can be done.
Ah Yes, I recognise thsoe feelings and cravings for some types of food. I too live outside of London so accessing African food is not easy but fortunately my journey is not 3hours but 1 or 2 hours depending on what I am looking. I do think Sadia has a point use your skills from the confectionery area to sell this to Tesco!
Thanks for the comment Christopher. I will slap on my thinking hat. I used to wonder myself too about African but I think the answer is what we have seen in the House of Assembly, Niger Delta region and moving further away from home – in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. Unity is still an issue when tongues are divided.
True Ida. It sounds like a good business idea. Knowing Nigerians I’m sure there are people who have though of it too. It will require a lot of research.
Well said Sadia. Good research is the bedrock of any successful business. I will definitely be doing some initial work to find out if there is interest.
Wow. I definitely remember how much of a problem it was for me to find a rolling pin with which to make chapatis when i was studying in Leeds. but on a serious note there really is ahuge opportunity in African food that is simply not being served. By all means go for it!
Should I start looking at a shopping plugin to add to Africa on the Blog? Now there’s a thought…
Babs
Don’t tempt us Babs