Ghana’s Homegrown Treats
At the counter of Chocolate Sarayi with my colleagues.
During my time in Ghana this past summer, I ate a lot… I mean a lot. From fish, to Jollof and plantains, I was able to sample all kinds of delicious foods. Among the many things that I ate and sampled, I must say that the chocolates and coffee were my favorite. I even spent my birthday at a Turkish-owned Chocolate shop, Chocolate Sarayi in the neighborhood of Osu, in Accra.
Treats like these make me want to come back again and again
We ordered the Special Brownie Crepe, a house specialty. This delicacy was made with three types of chocolate, served warm, and topped with whipped cream and strawberries. It was absolutely delicious and very rich.
As I was deciding what to bring home as souvenirs, I decided that chocolate would definitely be on that list. After asking around and doing some online searching on my own, I discovered that Ghana has a chocolate and coffee of their own! The coffee and chocolate are a few of the domestic products that are exported around the world. Below is a photo of the coffee and chocolates that I brought home with me from my trip to Ghana this summer
The Jamestown Coffee was my favorite of the two coffees. It had a dark roast taste and was very smooth. It paired well with my basic creamer and was a wonderful addition to my morning coffee routine. They don’t have a website so you can follow them on their social media accounts, Instagram® and Facebook.
The Gold Coast Roasters coffee was very strong and lived up to its espresso grind. From their website, they strive to cultivate “a new approach to Indigenous West African coffee”. The coffee is grown and harvested in the Volta Region of Ghana from established coffee farms. I felt jittery for most of the day after drinking just a cup with creamer. If you like strong coffee, this is for you.
Ghana isn't just known for chocolate, it's also known for amazing coffee
The chocolate, 57 Chocolate was really delicious. From their website, it says “An African women-owned luxury chocolate brand that evokes 1957— Ghana's independence”. The company was started by two sisters, Kimberly and Priscilla Addison. Like wine, you can taste the terroir where the coco beans are grown. It has a distinct taste reflecting the Ghanaian hillsides that it is grown on. If you cannot make it to Ghana, the company does chocolate tastings virtually on their website. To my surprise, the company has a distributor in the USA as well!
These treats made great souvenirs. No need for your friends to find a place to hang or store a token from your travels. Coffee and chocolate are made to be savored with good food and good company. I recommend packing the coffee and chocolate in your check-in baggage, rather than the carry-on. It will be safe and won’t be confiscated by the customs that way.
I brought home enough to give to three of my Dutch family friends who I have known for over 10 years. Of course, I also brought some home for myself. I will have another opportunity to travel to Ghana next summer and hope to discover other culinary treats that reflect the rich history and culture of the country. Stay tuned!