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 St. Lucian Food
The five countries with the most similar food to St. Lucia are all tropical islands in the Caribbean that were once British colonies before becoming independent. A high percentage of their people were brought to these islands as slaves or indentured servants.
- Antigua & Barbuda is another group of islands in the Caribbean. Both countries feature a strong presence of seafood like lobster, conch, and saltfish. Additionally, both countries enjoy a variety of savory stews, incorporating ingredients such as pumpkin, eggplant, and cassava. Furthermore, chicken is the most commonly eaten protein in these country.
- Trinidad & Tobago‘s cuisine also has many similarities to St. Lucia’s, especially in their use of tropical fruits and vegetables. Both countries embrace the rich flavors of coconut, ginger, and various spices. St. Lucia’s national dish, Green Fig and Saltfish, is similar to Trinidad’s Saltfish and Bake. However, Trinidad & Tobago’s cuisine has a much bigger Indian influence than Antigua & Barbuda.
- St. Vincent and St. Lucia have similar food as well, largely due to their shared Caribbean geography, colonial history, African heritage, and access to similar local ingredients. Despite the difference in their national dishes, both countries often use the same ingredients — breadfruit, saltfish, root vegetables, and spices.
- Grenada and and St. Lucia also have very similar food ingredients, again due to their Caribbean location, African heritage, and colonial past. Callaloo soup is popular in both nations. It features coconut milk, onions, garlic, and sometimes seafood. In addition, these nations love to eat chicken and fresh fish as well.
- Barbados is another former British colony in the Caribbean. They share many culinary similarities, particularly in their love for fresh seafood and chicken. Both countries use fruity ingredients like coconut and bananas in their traditional dishes. Furthermore, like most European countries, wheat and potatoes are their most commonly eaten starches.
The Least Similar Cuisines to St. Lucian Food
Relatively few countries have food that is far different from St. Lucia. Nevertheless, the five countries with the least similar food to the country are all located in Africa. In stark contrast to St. Lucia, these countries are landlocked as well.
- South Sudan is a landlocked country in Africa. Cassava accounts for the largest part of the country’s diet, however South Sudanese eat their share of sorghum as well. Beef is the most commonly consumed meat in the South Sudan, while saltwater fish and chicken are more popular in St. Lucia.
- Chad is country that borders Sudan. Sorghum and millet are the two most commonly consumed grains there. These crops are well adapted to the Sahel’s harsh climate. Beef is the most popular meat, but lamb meat is also often eaten there. Peanuts and sesame seeds are also commonly parts of their cuisine.
- Niger is located in the Sahel region of Africa. It has an extremely dry climate, in contrast to St. Lucia. Its two most common staple foods are millet and sorghum, two grains that are rarely consumed in St. Lucia. Some traditional dishes in Niger include tuwo, a porridge made from millet or sorghum, and dambunama, a dish made from millet, vegetables, and meat.
- Central African Republic is located directly to the south of Chad. It is another French-speaking country in Africa on this list. Cassava and yam are two of the most commonly eaten staple ingredients in the country. Its food reflects the culinary traditions of various ethnic groups, such as the Baya, Banda, and Sango, among others.
- Ethiopia‘s staple grain, teff, is especially unique. In addition, beef and lamb are the most commonly eaten meats in Ethiopia, while chicken and saltwater fish are the most common in St. Lucia. Furthermore, St. Lucia eats a much higher amount of coconuts.
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
St. Lucia’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Chicken, Saltwater Fish
Fruit: Banana, Coconut
Vegetable: Cucumber, Onion
Starch: Wheat, Potato
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.