In brief
- Mandazi: a coconut yeast doughnut, lightly sweetened and flavoured with cardamom
- Origin: the Swahili coast of East Africa, in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda
- Key ingredients: flour, coconut milk, sugar, egg, yeast, cardamom
- Enjoyed at breakfast or as a snack, with a spiced tea
Origins and cultural history of mandazi
Mandazi is a fried doughnut native to the Swahili coast of East Africa. It is found in the kitchens of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, where it has been part of breakfast habits for several generations. It is also known as maandazi, mahamri or mamri depending on the region, the latter name referring in particular to a variant made with coconut milk and cardamom, typical of the Kenyan and Tanzanian coast.
Less sweet than a Western doughnut and without icing, mandazi is traditionally sold on the street or made at home, then served warm or at room temperature, often alongside a spiced chai.
What are the key ingredients of mandazi
Mandazi dough combines basic baking ingredients with flavours specific to the Swahili coast.
- Wheat flour
- Coconut milk
- Sugar
- Egg
- Baker's yeast
- Ground cardamom
What to know about mandazi
Mandazi is a fried fritter from the Swahili coast, leavened and made with coconut milk, mildly sweet and scented with cardamom. It has a soft crumb and a golden crust, with no glaze. It is eaten lukewarm or at room temperature, at breakfast or as a snack, often with spiced chai.
Frequently asked questions about mandazi
What does mandazi taste like?
Mandazi has a lightly sweet taste, flavoured with cardamom, with a soft crumb close to a doughnut and a golden crust. It is noticeably less sweet than a Western donut and has no icing.
How should mandazi be stored?
Mandazi is best enjoyed the same day. It keeps for 24 to 48 hours in an airtight container, at room temperature, and can be warmed briefly in the oven before serving.
Where to find the ingredients for mandazi in France?
NKOSI sells the coconut milk, cane sugar, cardamom, cinnamon and ground ginger needed for this recipe, and ships them from the Paris area within 24 to 72 working hours, to mainland France (2 to 3 working days) and to ten European countries. The minimum order is 39 €: in France, delivery to a pickup point is then free, and home delivery is free from 69 €.
