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 Namibian Food
Namibia’s food, a vibrant blend of indigenous flavors and colonial influences, offers a unique gastronomic experience that reflects the country’s diverse cultural heritage. Four of the five are African countries.
- Botswana is situated to the east of Namibia. The Kalahari Desert covers much of the land area in both countries. Cornmeal is a staple ingredient in both Botswana and Namibia. Maize porridge, known as “pap,” is often served as a side dish or used as a base for stews. Beef is also a prominent ingredient of both their cuisines.
- South Africa borders both Namibia and Botswana. Wheat and corn are a staple ingredients in these countries. Maize porridge, known as “pap,” is often served as a side dish or used as a base for stews. Furthermore, sunflower seed oil is commonly used for cooking purposes in South Africa and Namibia.
- Uruguay‘s food shares many food ingredients with Namibian food, primarily due to the emphasis on beef and outdoor grilling. Barbecues are popular in both countries. Uruguay and Namibia tend to eat a lot of beef. The rural traditions of both countries highlight a reliance on locally sourced, fresh ingredients.
- Lesotho, the landlocked kingdom encircled by South Africa, shares many culinary similarities with Namibia, especially in terms of staple foods and meat dishes. Both countries tend to eat a lot of cornmeal. They utilize traditional cooking methods, such as slow-cooking meat over an open flame.
- Seychelles, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, might seem an unlikely candidate, but its food ingredients share some surprising similarities with Namibian food due to the integration of African and European traditions. Both Namibia and Seychelles have a strong emphasis on seafood, since many of their people live close to the coast.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Namibia
The Least Similar Cuisines to Namibian Food
Few nations have food that is far different from Namibia. However, the five countries with the least similar food to Namibia all have tropical climates. As a result, they get far more rainfall than Namibia, which is home to the Kalahari Desert. Interestingly enough, in four of these five countries, English is one of the official languages, like in Namibia.
- Micronesia is a group of small islands in the Pacific Ocean. The country’s isolation has limited its exposure to foreign influences. Coconuts are a huge part of their cuisine. In addition, rice and cassava are the two most commonly eaten starches in Micronesia.
- Solomon Islands is another country located in the Pacific Ocean on this list. The country’s diet is much more reliant on sweet potato, yam, taro, and coconut than South Africa. This country also eats far less beef than Namibia.
- South Sudan is also an African country, but its food is far different from Namibia’s. Cassava is the largest part of the country’s diet, however South Sudanese eat their share of sorghum as well. Furthermore, dates are more commonly eaten in South Sudan.
- Central African Republic was once a colony of France before becoming independent. Cassava and yam are two of the most commonly eaten staple ingredients in the country. Furthermore, taro and bananas make up a much greater share of the diet in Central African Republic than in Namibia.
- Papua New Guinea, along with the Solomon Islands, is another Melanesian country on this list. In contrast to Namibia, it is one of the nations with the most rainfall. The nation eats coconuts far more often than Namibians. In addition, pork is more common as well.
Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Namibia
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Namibia’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Beef, Saltwater Fish
Fruit: Apple, Orange
Vegetable: Onion, Tomato
Starch: Wheat, Corn
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.