Ep 4. Maize

A Taste of South Africa Season 1 Episode 4 - Maize

In this episode of A Taste of South Africa, host Lentswe Bhengu explores the role of maize in traditional South African cuisine. Known locally as mielies, maize has been a staple food in the country for centuries, and is used in a wide variety of dishes.

Starting in Durban, Bhengu visits a local restaurant where the chef demonstrates how to make pap, a popular maize-based porridge dish. He then heads to a nearby market to pick up some fresh ingredients, including sweetcorn, before travelling to the nearby Valley of a Thousand Hills to meet a local farmer who grows maize on a small scale.

Next, Bhengu travels to the historic town of Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, where he meets up with a chef who shows him how to make a traditional South African dish called mieliebrood, or maize bread. Made with maize flour, the bread is a staple food in many South African households and is often served with a meat stew or soup.

Bhengu then heads to the Cape Winelands to meet up with a chef who incorporates maize into his menu in unique ways. Using a variety of different maize flours and grains, the chef makes everything from crispy maize fritters to a sweet maize and almond tart.

Finally, Bhengu meets up with a group of local women in the rural Eastern Cape who have been cultivating maize for generations. They show him how to grind the maize by hand and use it to make their own version of pap, which they serve with a spicy tomato relish.

Throughout the episode, Bhengu learns about the different varieties of maize grown in South Africa, as well as the cultural significance of the crop in local communities. He also discovers how maize is being used in modern South African cuisine and meets some of the passionate individuals who are keeping traditional recipes alive.

Overall, Maize is a fascinating look at the role of this humble grain in South African food and culture, and is sure to inspire viewers to experiment with new maize-based dishes in their own kitchens.