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 Seychellois Food
In the Indian Ocean, Seychelles shares some culinary similarities with the other island nations around the world. In fact, the five countries with the most similar food are also located on tropical islands. As a result, two major components of their diets are fish and coconuts.
- Mauritius is another nation in the Indian Ocean. The Indian cultural influence plays a significant role in both nations’ cuisines. Rice is the universal bedrock for both islands. Coconut palms, root crops, tropical fruits, and an endless fish supply shape diets around what grows or swims nearby.
- Barbados is located in the Caribbean, but its food ingredients are also similar. Each evolved in a tropical, island context with similar waves of colonial, African, Indian, and Creole influences. Seafood, rice, and coconuts are a huge part of the cuisine in these nations. In Barbados and Seychelles, coconut milk enriches curries and stews.
- Trinidad & Tobago also has a harmonious blend of African, Indian, and European influences. Seychellois dishes like Octopus Curry and Grilled Fish share a kinship with Trinidad’s seafood-based meals. The use of tropical fruits and coconut is another common thread that ties the two countries together.
- Malaysia and Seychelles both celebrate seafood and tropical produce, despite being across from the Indian Ocean from each other. They both have diverse cultural influences. Their cuisines tend to lean on coconut and an abundance of tropical fruits. Breads and rice account for a large portion of the ingredients used in these nations.
- Bahrain is an Arabian country, but it has a high percentage of South Asian immigrants. These nations also have an affinity for seafood and rice, although their palettes reflect distinct regional legacies. In Seychellois and Bahraini kitchens, rice and wheat are the two most commonly consumed starches. Both nations rely on seafood and chicken as well.
The Least Similar Cuisines to Seychellois Food
All the countries with the least similar food to Seychelles are landlocked. In addition, most of these countries have drier climates than Seychelles, so their agriculture is far different. Interestingly enough, all five countries are located in Africa.
- Chad is located in the Sahel region of Africa. Sorghum and millet are the two most commonly consumed grains in the country. These crops are well adapted to the region’s harsh climate. One popular dish is saka-saka, a mix of spinach and cassava leaves.
- 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 Seychelles, beef is the most popular meat in the South Sudan, while fruits like bananas and coconuts are not as widely consumed.
- Central African Republic is a former French colony located to the north of Congo. The majority of the country’s diet is based on cassava and yams. Bananas and plantains are also an extremely common source of food in the country. In addition, comparatively little chicken is consumed in Central African Republic.
- Niger is located in the Sahel region of Africa. It has an extremely dry climate, in contrast to Seychelles. Its two most common staple foods are millet and sorghum, two grains that are rarely consumed in Seychelles. Tuwo, a porridge made from millet or sorghum is a traditional dish in Niger.
- Burundi is a landlocked country in the tropical regions of Africa on this list. Its diet is in large part based on cassava, sweet potatoes, plantains, and bananas. Very little rice or wheat are eaten in Burundi, compared to Seychelles.
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Seychelles’ Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Saltwater Fish, Chicken
Fruit: Coconut, Banana
Vegetable: Onion, Tomato
Starch: Wheat, Rice
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.