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 Food in São Tomé
São Tomé’s cuisine has a unique blend of flavors and ingredients. The five countries that have the most similar food also have tropical climates and are located close to the equator. Four of the five are located on islands, however unlike São Tomé they are located in the Pacific Ocean, not the Atlantic Ocean.
(Please note that FAOStat data does not include Equatorial Guinea, so it was not analyzed)
- Gabon is located on the African mainland’s Atlantic Coast, relatively close to São Tomé. Both countries have a strong tradition of incorporating fish into their cuisine, especially Makerel. Many of their dishes feature meat cooked in a rich palm nut sauce. Wheat, rice, and taro are staples, and it is used to make various dishes in these countries.
- Vanuatu and São Tomé are island nations with abundant access to fresh seafood, root crops like cassava and taro, and fruits such as bananas and coconuts. However, the key difference lies in the seasonings and colonial influences. While São Tomé’s food reflects a strong Portuguese and African heritage, Vanuatu’s flavors remain much milder.
- Fiji is another Melanesian country on this list. Root crops, bananas, coconuts, and fresh fish at the core of their diet. Both countries celebrate fish dishes that incorporate coconut — for example, Fiji’s kokoda could loosely be compared to São Tomé’s occasional coconut-based fish stews. Where Fiji starts to diverge sharply is in the influence of its Indo-Fijian population, who brought with them curries, dals, chutneys, and spices.
- Papua New Guinea is located in the South Pacific, but it has similar food ingredients to Gabon. The use of root vegetables, particularly cassava and taro, is one significant similarity between their cuisines. In addition, bananas are by far the most commonly eaten fruit in both nations.
- Samoa is a Polynesian country located in in the Pacific Ocean, however its diet exhibits some shared ingredients with São Tomé. Both countries rely heavily on seafood, tropical fruits, and starchy staples. The use of coconut milk and palm oil as flavoring agents is a shared characteristic.
The Least Similar Cuisines to Food in São Tomé
All five countries with the least similar food to Gabon are landlocked. Three are located in Africa, while the other two are located in Central Asia. In addition, they have much drier climates than São Tomé. Four of the five countries are predominately Muslim.
- South Sudan is a country located in the middle of Africa. Cassava and sorghum are the most consumed ingredients in the country. Porridge is one of its most popular dishes. Unlike in São Tomé, beef is the most popular meat in the South Sudan, while fruits like bananas and coconuts are not as widely consumed.
- Chad is another landlocked country in Africa. Their food ingredients are significantly different. Chad heavily relies on staple foods like millet, sorghum, corn, and beans. In addition, tropical fruits are less commonly eaten there than in São Tomé.
- Niger is located in the Sahara Desert, so it has an extremely dry climate, in contrast to São Tomé. Niger’s two most common staple foods are millet and sorghum, while São Tomé consumes more wheat and rice. Beef and goat are Niger’s two most popular meats, while chicken and fish are more popular in São Tomé.
- Turkmenistan is a landlocked Central Asian country that was once part of the Soviet Union. Turkmen cuisine features stews, dumplings, and bread, and the extensive use of lamb and beef, in stark contrast to São Tomé. The Turkmen people incorporate spices such as cumin, coriander, dill, and parsley, which are not as common in São Tomé.
- Uzbekistan is another Central Asian country on this list. Its cuisine features a mix of traditional Uzbek and Russian dishes. Lamb and beef are two of the most commonly consumed meats in Uzbekistan, unlike in São Tomé.
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
São Tomé’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Saltwater Fish, Chicken
Fruit: Banana, Coconut
Vegetable: Onion, Carrot
Starch: Wheat, Rice
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.