Liberia Food and Drink

Liberian food ranges from fiery stews to honey covered peanut cookies. Meals are usually served with a mountain of rice topped with a spicy sauce made from red palm oil, leaves, meat and fish. A dozen different types of breads are also made while bushmeat is prized, even if the meat in question is illegal.

Specialities:

• Torborgee (a spicy stew made from the Torborgee bean, palm oil and meat or fish)
• Beef and cassava leaf soup
• Goat meat soup
• Kanyah (ground peanuts mixed with toasted rice flour and sugar)
• Liberian rice bread
• Monrovian coconut pie (coconut and egg pie in a pastry case)
• Palm butter soup (crab claws, chicken and prawns cooked with palm butter and chilli)

Things to know:

A host is responsible for guests at their party and must provide all drinks, food and entertainment, even when the party is based in a bar. When a guest, be aware that the host feels in charge and be sure to inform them when leaving.

Tipping:

10% at hotels, restaurants and bars is expected.

Regional drinks:

• Ginger and pineapple juice
• Club (local lager)
• Lemongrass tea
• Palm wine (a strong sugar cane juice can be taken neat or mixed with ginger beer)

Drinking age:

Drinking age is 18, but most Liberia's start working hard well before that age and most rules are interpreted to reflect their status as breadwinners.

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