The Country Food Similarity Index is a statistically-based attempt to quantify how similar the food in one country is relative to another. By comparing the weight of raw food ingredients used in each country, a score is assigned that reflects the degree of similarity between the respective countries. The methodology is exactly the same for each country studied.
The Most Similar Cuisines to Malian Food
Mali, situated in West Africa, boasts a rich culinary heritage shaped by a diverse range of cultural influences. The countries with the most similar food to Mali tend to be located in between North Africa and West Africa. Like Mali, four of the five countries were once French colonies. Furthermore, with the exception of Cameroon, these countries are all predominately Muslim.
- Senegal is on Mali’s eastern border. Both countries are predominately Muslim and were colonized by France. Mafé, a rich peanut stew, is enjoyed in both nations, showcasing the use of groundnuts in their cuisines. Grilled meats and fish, seasoned with spices and herbs, are widely consumed as well.
- Niger and Mali have striking culinary resemblances. Millet is a common ingredient in both of their cuisines. Dishes such as “Mafé” in Mali, a peanut-based stew, align with Nigerien stews like “Riz Gras,” where rice is cooked with a hearty sauce, usually featuring tomatoes, onions, and various spices.
- Cameroon and Mali both have Fulfulde-speaking ethnic communities. Both countries make ample use of locally grown vegetables in their cuisines. Okra, eggplant, and leafy greens feature prominently in dishes. Rich and flavorful stews and soups are a culinary hallmark in these nations.
- Burkina Faso is located to the southeast of Mali. They share cultural and historical ties. Both countries incorporate millet and sorghum into their diets, creating dishes like Toh, a traditional Malian millet-based dish, and Tô, a staple food in Burkina Faso. They include grilled meats, stews, and sauces in their daily meals.
- Sudan and Mali tend to eat a lot of sorghum porridge with their meals. They also like to eat deep fried dough balls. However compared to Sudan, people in Mali tend to eat more rice and less wheat. Additionally, the use of peanuts and peanut-based sauces is a shared feature between these Muslim countries.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Mali
The Least Similar Cuisines to Malian Food
Four of the five countries with the least similar food to Mali are on islands located in the Pacific Ocean. They consume significantly more seafood than Mali. These countries get significantly more rainfall than Mali, so their crops are significantly different. All five countries are predominately Christian, in contrast to Mali.
- Micronesia is a group of small tropical islands in the Pacific Ocean. As a result, their diet is heavily based on seafood. Furthermore, coconut is a much bigger part of Micronesia’s cuisine than Mali’s.
- Kiribati is another archipelago of small islands in the Pacific Ocean. Coconuts and fish from the ocean are commonly eaten staple foods in Kiribati, unlike in Mali, where beef is significantly more consumed.
- Vanuatu is a Melanesian island. Unlike in Mali, taro is the common ingredient in Vanuatu’s food. Like other countries on this list, saltwater fish and coconuts are also commonly eaten there.
- Poland‘s diet is heavy in pork products. In contrast, pork is not as commonly eaten in Mali, since it is mostly Muslim. Polish cuisine uses a range of condiments like sour cream, mustard, and horseradish to enhance the flavors of dishes. Mali uses more peanut-based sauces and tomato-based sauces.
- Solomon Islands is yet another Melanesian country located near Papua New Guinea on this list. The country’s diet is much more reliant on sweet potato, yam, taro, and coconut than Mali. In addition, most of its protein is from fish from the ocean.
Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Mali
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Mali’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Freshwater Fish, Beef
Fruit: Mango, Watermelon
Vegetable: Onion, Okra
Starch: Rice, Millet
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.
