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 Guinean Food
All five of the nations with the most similar food to Guinea border the Atlantic Coast. These African countries all have a tropical climate. Their cuisines rely on a variety of starchy staples such as such as rice, yams, and cassava, as well as seafood.
- Ivory Coast is another former French colony in West Africa. Staples in both cuisines include rice, cassava, plantains, yams, and various meats such as chicken, fish, and beef. Peanuts and palm oil are commonly used in cooking as well. However, there are also regional variations within each country’s cuisine.
- Liberia is another West African nation that borders Guinea. Both countries also often consume plantains in various forms, from fried to boiled. Cassava and rice are the two most commonly eaten starches in these nations. Guinea’s cuisine features dishes such as mafé, a peanut-based stew resembling Liberia’s groundnut stew.
- Ghana and Liberia are two former British colonies in West Africa. They both feature Jollof Rice as one of their common dishes. It is made with rice, tomatoes, onions, and a blend of spices, and it often includes meat or fish. However, people in Ghana tend to eat more yam and cassava than Liberians.
- Guinea-Bissau is extremely similar to Guinea, except that it has a different history of colonization since it was once ruled by Portugal not France. The two countries have extremely similar food. Both cuisines are likely to feature staples such as rice, maize, cassava, peanuts, and lots of seafood.
- Sierra Leone is located just to the south of Guinea. Both countries are predominately Muslim. Staples like rice, cassava leaf soup, and plasas are commonly enjoyed in both countries. The coastal location of both nations contributes to a shared love for seafood, often incorporated into soups and stews.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Guinea
The Least Similar Cuisines to Guinean Food
All five of the countries with the least similar food to Guinea are located in Europe. With the exception of Poland, they are landlocked as well. As a result, seafood is a significantly smaller portion of their diets. Furthermore, their climates are much colder than Guinea’s. Four of the five countries are predominately Slavic.
- Poland‘s diet is heavy in pork products. In contrast, pork is not as commonly eaten in Guinea, since it is predominately Muslim. Polish cuisine uses a range of condiments like sour cream, mustard, and horseradish to enhance the flavors of dishes. Guinea’s cuisine uses more peanut-based sauces.
- Hungary‘s geographic location and distinct cultural influences are greatly different from Guinea’s. It is landlocked, so Hungarians eat significantly less fish. Sour cream and various cheeses are very common in the country, in contrast to typical food consumed in Guinea.
- Slovakia‘s diet consists of far more pork and chicken than Guinea’s. Slovakians also eat more dairy products. Cream, yogurt, and cheese are three ingredients commonly eaten in Slovakia that are not widely consumed in Guinea. Furthermore, Slovakian cuisine tends to be milder and less spicy than Guinean cuisine.
- Belarus is another Eastern European country on this list. Belarus is one of the few nations in the world where potatoes are the most commonly eaten starch. Rice is not consumed as nearly as often in this country as in Guinea. Furthermore, dairy products like yogurt are extremely popular in Belarus.
- North Macedonia‘s cuisine is heavily influenced by Balkan, Mediterranean, and Eastern European culinary traditions. It incorporates elements from Greek, Turkish, and Slavic cuisines. Unlike in Guinea, herbs and spices like paprika, parsley, and mint are also frequently used.
Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Guinea
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Guinea’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Beef, Saltwater Fish
Fruit: Banana, Mango
Vegetable: Peanut, Onion
Starch: Cassava, Rice
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.
