Tanzania’s multicultural nature that permeates most aspects of life means East Africa’s largest country enjoys a diverse and highly interesting culinary scene. Should you find yourself in this enchanting land, food is likely to rank among the top three highlights of your journey. So, skipping Tanzania delicious desserts, candy, and sweet treats is a big no-no!
Owing to the influences of Arab, Persian, Indian, Bantu Swahili, and over 100 other indigenous ethnic groups, Tanzania’s food is more than just for sustenance. It holds massive cultural and historical significance.
Whether colorful sweetened baobab fruit or crunchy dough snacks, Tanzania does not disappoint sweet toothers. Here’s a list of the top 10 popular desserts, candy, and sweet treats you must try in Tanzania.
1. Al-Kasus Mujarab (Spiced Milk Tea)
Tanzania is among the largest coffee and tea producers in Africa. Most Tanzanians prefer tea over coffee and are avid tea drinkers. Fewer Tanzanians consume coffee (particularly in coastal regions and Zanzibar), although the number of coffee drinkers is growing among younger Tanzanians.
Tanzanians enjoy tea in different styles, depending on the region. For instance, southern Tanzanians drink regular black tea while regions with pastoral communities, such as Arusha and Kilimanjaro, enjoy their tea with fresh milk (chai ya maziwa). But as you explore the tea-drinking culture in Tanzania, you will be most impressed with the coastal street-style tea known as al-kasus.
Inspired by the rich Swahili culinary culture, al-kasus incorporates black tea boiled with fresh milk and a blend of fragrant spices, such as cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. As a result, you get a deliciously thick and aromatic tea, and connoisseurs claim it to be an aphrodisiac!
You can’t miss the al-kasus street vendors when and about in Dar es Salaam, as they haul a huge thermos flask of hot alkasus and mini espresso-like disposable plastic cups. You will also easily spot these vendors by their classic Muslim attire of kanzu (thwab or long tunic) and kibarakashee (skull cap or taqiyah). Patrons affectionately calling them ustadh or ostaz, meaning master or mister.
Interesting fact: The Tanzanian coastal or Swahili culture is significantly influenced by migrants who mixed with the indigenous Swahili Bantu. While Tanzania is a secular society (with residents freely and harmoniously practicing their religious beliefs), you will notice many nuances associated with Islam due to the significant Arab, Persian, and Muslim Indian influences. Regarding the latter, Tanzania is also home to a large minority of Hindu Indians.
2. Kahawa (Coffee)
Kahawa is equally popular in the coastal Tanzania regions and the Zanzibar archipelago. Kahawa on the coast is more than a drink. It is a social event, brining people together to socialize and exchange ideas.
Whether on the beach, on the street side, or outside homes, you will typically find a group of young and old men-alike with kahawa cups and a vendor hanging around to tend to their kahawa needs. These groups also make for great sources of discussion, whether deep-life conversations or playful soccer banter.
This street-style coffee is usually stored in a traditional Arab-style pot or kettle (known as dallah in Arabic) or regular metal pot the vendor hauls around with and served in small arab-style espresso-style porcelain cups. To keep the coffee warm all day, they pair the pot with a built-in charcoal stove underneath. Typically made from the more fragrant and flavorful arabica coffee, kahawa is brewed with a blend of spices for even more flavors and aroma. While it’s served with no sugar added, sweet toothers can pair it with kashata (peanut brittle) that the vendor usually sells.
3. Ice-Cream in Tanzanian Flavors
Like any other country, you will find plenty of ice cream in Tanzania. However, you should sample authentic Tanzanian flavors in this typical Western dessert. Common local flavors include bungo (a savory and tangy fruit which is very popular in Tanzania), parachichi (avocado), tende (dates), ukwaju (tamarind), and ubuyu (candied baobab fruit).
4. Askrimu (Frozen Ice Pops or Popsicles)
If you are a fan of popsicles, you will love Tanzanian-style popsicles. Interestingly, askrimu is simply a Swahilizied word for ice cream, although askrimu is not creamy. Typically housed in a plastic sachet before freezing, askrimu comes in a selection of fun flavors.
You can find anything from askrimu za maziwa (milk-flavored popsicles) to local fruit flavors, pop (soda) flavors, and typical Tanzanian flavors, like ubuyu (baobab) and ukwaju (tamarind).
Askrimu Tip: If you don’t want to stress about plastic sachets, choose askrimu ya kijiti or lamba lamba. Loosely translating to ice on a stick or lick-lick. It refers to an ice pop on a stick or traditional popsicles. Lamba lamba comes in the same flavors and recipe, the only difference is the stick and lack of a plastic sachet.
5. Ubuyu (Candied Baobab Fruit)
Ubuyu is a popular snack with women and children (kids love the colorful marks they leave on the tongue) in Tanzania. Naturally, baobab is super healthy and packs powerful antioxidants. However, this snack is popular for its delicious recipe.
On its own, the white baobab fruit can be tangy yet, not too flavorful. When candied, it develops an addictively delicious flavor profile that makes you suck on more fruits all day. Over the years, ubuyu makers have developed various flavors to add including fun fruity, spice-flavored, and even ubuyu with pop (soda) flavors. My personal favorite is the ubuyu wa Vimto (black currant soda brand flavored baobab fruit).
You can even find popular ubuyu makers in coastal Tanzania. If you ever visit Zanzibar, tell your host, guide, or taxi driver to take you to buy “Ubuyu wa Babu Issa” to enjoy the best candied baobab fruit on the island.
6. Achari ya Maembe or Ubuyu wa Maembe (Dried Candied Mangoes or Baobab Mangoes)
If you want an equally fun alternative to ubuyu without the color residues, achari ya maembe is a great alternative. In addition to being a delicious sweet treat, some people pair it with their food, like Korean food with kimchi.
Achari ya maembe is dried and flavored mangoes, not to be confused with the condiment, wet spiced mango pickles with a chili kick, with the same name. They usually boast a similar flavor to candied baobab but they have an interesting tangy kick to them.
7. Kashata za Karanga (Peanut Brittle)
A list of the most popular sweet treats in Tanzania wouldn’t be complete without the iconic peanut brittle. Typically sold street-side, kahawa, kashata is enjoyed in Tanzania well beyond the kahawa conversations.
It is loved and enjoyed by Tanzanians of all ages, with coffee, tea, or on its own. Peanut brittle is made by melting sugar in a pan and adding somewhat pounded peanuts and a blend of local fragrant spices. When fresh, kashata is crunchy, sweet, nutty, and aromatic.
Kashata alternatives: You can find a selection of other interesting Tanzania-style brittles if you don’t like nuts. These include kashata za ufuta (sesame brittle), kashata za maziwa (milk brittle), and kashata za sukari (sugar brittle).
8. Vileja (Swahili Cookies)
Vileja closely resembles powdery cookies which you can simply call Swahili cookies. Different cookies have unique recipes although vileja traditionally incorporate flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and baking powder. You can find a wide range of vileja designs and flavors, including vileja vya karanga (peanut cookies) and vileja vya nazi (coconut-crusted cookies).
Simple plain or coconut-crusted Swahili cookies can be found in most low to middle-income neighborhood stores (think Tanzanian version of bodegas). You can also find Swahili cookies in various flavors in supermarkets and bakeries, or purchase them from home cooks.
9. Kokoto or Visheti (Mini and Crunchy Fried Dough)
A minuscule and crunchier version of the mandazi (large East African fried dough), kokoto, vikokoto, or visheti is equally fragrant and delicious. While mandazi are enjoyed as breakfast pastries or snacks, kokoto is the perfect sweet treat or dessert.
Like their East African counterparts, mandazi, kokoto is enjoyed across the East African coast, as far up as Mombasa, Kenya, and Mogadishu, Somalia. You can even stuff them in your pockets or a small bowl and nibble on some as you continue with work to catch up with your favorite show.
Kokoto is simply fragrant fried dough but their smaller size allows them to achieve the crunchy and sweeter taste. Kokoto’s recipe includes flour, baking powder, butter, sugar, cardamom, and custard sugar. Some cooks toss them in powdered sugar after frying for an extra sweet bite.
10. Half-Keki (Half Cake)
If you want a more filling but equally crunchy, aromatic, and delicious kokoto alternative, half keki is a fantastic alternative. As the name suggests, half keki is somewhere between a pound cake and fried dough (like maandazi or beignets).
This versatile treat can be enjoyed during breakfast with tea or coffee, as a dessert, treat, or snack. Tanzanians like to enjoy half keki plain, but you can serve it with your favorite sweet syrup or sauce for even more flavor.
Final Thoughts
Different ethnic groups have their own more traditional desserts and sweet treats. However, today, Tanzanians keep their spirit of oneness and togetherness by enjoying similar snacks nationwide. Like the Swahili language, many Tanzanians are brought together and connected by the same snacks, no matter their regional or ethnic background.
Interestingly, most of these mainstream snacks trace coastal roots (in major cities like Dar es Salaam) where many Tanzanians have migrated for more than half of the century for greener pastures.
Related: The Most Popular Foods in Zanzibar
Related: The Most Popular Foods in Tanzania
Related: 16 African Fruits You Need to Try
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