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 Liberian Food
Four of the five nations with the most similar food to Liberia all 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, cassava, and plantains.
- Sierra Leone is located just to the north of Liberia. It is another English-speaking country in the region. 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.
- Guinea is another West African nation that borders Liberia. Guinea’s cuisine features dishes such as mafé, a peanut-based stew resembling Liberia’s groundnut stew. 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.
- Comoros is the only country on this list that does not border the Atlantic Ocean, however the food ingredients eaten in Comoros are similar to those eaten in Liberia. Rice and cassava are common bases for many of their dishes. Furthermore, saltwater fish and chicken are a key component of their diets.
- 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.
- Gabon and Liberia are both densely forested tropical countries. As a result, they have some general similarities in their food ingredients. Chicken is the most commonly eaten meat in both countries. Cassava is a popular source of carbohydrates in these nations, but Liberians tend to eat more rice and less yams.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Liberia
The Least Similar Cuisines to Liberian Food
All five of the countries with the least similar food to Liberia are located in Asia. With the exception of Syria, they are landlocked as well. As a result, seafood is a significantly smaller portion of their diets. Furthermore, their climates are much drier than Liberia’s and they are not densely forested. Four of the five countries are predominately Muslim.
- Uzbekistan is a doubly-landlocked country in Central Asia. Grapes and apples are two of the most popular commonly consumed fruits in Uzbekistan, unlike in Liberia where tropical fruits like bananas and pineapples are more prevalent.
- Mongolia is a sparsely populated country between Russia and China. Its cold, dry climate makes it difficult to grow crops. As a result, the country relies on animal husbandry for a large portion of its food. People in Mongolia tend to eat much more meat from cattle, sheep, and goats than Liberians.
- Azerbaijan is located between Russia and Iran. Like Uzbekistan, it is another country on this list that was once a part of the Soviet Union. Wheat is a primary staple in Azerbaijani cuisine, and dishes like plov and various types of flatbreads are common. Meat, particularly lamb, is also widely used.
- Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country in Central Asia. Kyrgyz cuisine features stews, dumplings, and bread, and the extensive use of lamb and beef, in stark contrast to Liberia. People in Kyrgyzstan often use spices such as cumin, coriander, dill, and parsley, which are not as commonly eaten in Liberia.
- Syria has a much more arid climate than Liberia, so their farms produce drastically different crops. Syrians tend to eat a lot of oranges, lemons, watermelons, and apples, while people in Liberia tend to eat more tropical fruits.
Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Liberia
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Liberia’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Chicken, Saltwater Fish
Fruit: Banana, Pineapple
Vegetable: Onion, Peanut
Starch: Cassava, Rice
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.
