Thecuisine ofNiger draws on traditional African cuisines. Variousspices are used and meals include grilledmeat, seasonalvegetables,salads, and varioussauces. Meals in Niger usually start with colorful salads made from seasonal vegetables.Moringa leaves are a favorite for a salad.[citation needed]
Typical Nigerien meals consist of a starch (rice being the most popular) paired with a sauce or stew. The starches eaten most often aremillet and rice.Staple foods include millet, rice,cassava,sorghum, maize and beans.[1][2]Couscous is saved for special occasions.Porridge, wheat dumplings, andbeignets are some of Niger's popular snacks.[3] One popular food is jollof rice.[4]
Plantagriculture production in Niger is significantly reliant uponrainfall to provide water for plants, anddroughts have adversely affected Niger's agriculture production in the past, threatening the country's domestic food supply.[5]
Tea is a popular beverage in Niger.[6]
Somespices were brought to Niger byArabian travelers, and includeginger,nutmeg,cinnamon,saffron, andcloves.[1][7]Hot spices are also used in Nigerien cuisine.[7] Sometimes spices are used tomarinate meats to add flavor.
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