Taste Test – Ayoba Biltong

Biltong from South Africa is a jerky like treat which is cured but generally not sweet. This package we purchased from Amazon was beef (game meat is also used) and cut into very small pieces some almost a powder consistency. Alex is a big fan of American beef jerky but this was not to his liking. I very much enjoy vinegar in my food and expected to enjoy this very much. The flavor was not sour or pickled at all with the predominate flavor being pepper. I did enjoy the shredded texture as compared to the more chewy alternative but would not buy this particular brand again.

Alex 7 out of 10 Joe 8 out of 10

Coin and Currency Club – Malawi

Some changes to the Coin and Currency Club this month with the country of Malawi being featured. When you open the shipment there is a information card which gives you a chance to guess the country featured for the month.

Alex was able to guess the country since he had studied Malawi the previous year in school. We even watched the movie “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” together for a school project. The movie and his project concerned the ongoing drought and water crisis in Malawi. Also new in subscription is a recipe card with two Malawi dashes, an additional banknote and information card on the currency.

The Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in Southeastern Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north and northeast, and Mozambique to the east, south and southwest. The part of Africa now known as Malawi was settled around the 10th century by migrating Bantu groups. Centuries later, in 1891, the area was colonized by the British and became a protectorate of the United Kingdom known as Nyasaland. In 1953, it became a protectorate within the semi-independent Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The Federation was dissolved in 1963. In 1964, the protectorate was ended: Nyasaland became an independent country under Queen Elizabeth II, and was renamed Malawi. Two years later it became a republic. It gained full independence from the United Kingdom, and by 1970 had become a totalitarian one-party state under the presidency of Hastings Banda, who remained in this role until 1994. Today, Malawi has a democraticmulti-party republic headed by an elected president. 

Flag of Malawi – The black band represents the native people, the red band the blood of those who died, the green for nature and the rising sun for hope

Coin and Currency Club – Liberia

The Republic of Liberia is a country on the West African coast bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea and The Ivory Coast. Liberia began in the early 19th century as a project of the American Colonization Society (ACS), which believed black people would face better chances for freedom and prosperity in Africa than in the United States. Liberia was the first African republic to proclaim its independence and is Africa’s first and oldest modern republic. 

Flag

Five dollar note featuring Edward J Roye fifth president of Liberia

Woman harvesting grain on back of note

Taste Test – Try the World (May 2021)

Try the World for May 2021 contains products from Bangladesh, Morocco, Thailand, The United Kingdom, Costa Rica and the United States.

Rice from Bangladesh

Taco Seasoning from USA inspired by Mexico

Moroccan Green Tea

Thai Chili Tuna from Thailand

Pomegranate & Geranium flavored water

Tuna from Costa Rica

Black Truffle Hot Sauce bottled in the UK