Many things annoy me about adulting, and at the top of the list? Buying groceries 😩. It is an endless, vicious cycle. You buy groceries. You eat the groceries. The groceries disappear. You buy more groceries. And before you’ve even recovered financially from the last shop, you’re back in the supermarket asking yourself, “But what did I actually buy last time?”

I wish I could opt out of this particular aspect of adulthood. But hey… sothini?
So, in the spirit of patriotism, today I’m giving our local favourites their flowers. Because let’s be honest, there is a reason people in the diaspora will loot these products when going back.
It’s the taste of home.

These are some of my absolute favourite Zimbabwean food products. In no particular order…

Zambezi (read Zambaezi)
How can I not start with it? It is the absolute bae. I grew up (in terms of alcohol) on Zambezi. The relationship I had with Zambezi- not even your partner loves you as Zambezi loves me. I think Zambezi chose me more than I chose it. Do you know what a cold bottle can do to you? Your partner could never satisfy you like that…hawu ngyadlala! Love me a cold glass bottle of Zambezi. It has to be a glass bottle; yes, the can bottle can do the trick, but bhodoro? Top tier.

Popticorn
There was a time when the guy I share my home Wi-Fi with could only get me Popcorn, and I was a happy girl. They still make me happy, and I think my son being obsessed with them too is the cherry on top. Eating them with him is one of my favourite things to do. And the fact that they are so affordable?. The cheese and chives flavour is my absolute favourite, and it was the best companion during COVID when I was stuck at home. National Foods? You slapped my dhiye.

Cheeky chilli
My a**hole hates seeing me buy this thing, but it’s such a game changer for meals. Absolutely love it. I will top up on my roughage because my piles will hate me. But I enjoy my meals more with some cheeky chilli in it.

Chicken Inn
Have you tried Chicken Inn after a night out? That two-piece slaps hard, downing it with the last of your cold beer at midnight. Have that with the mayo sauce? Nothing can compare!

Kefalos
I don’t know of any Kefalos product that isn’t made with love. Classy product that one. A baddie. A little bit expensive, but it’s worth every ZiG! I love the ice cream section, and I struggle to choose between all three flavours, so it’s all three: Belgian, hazelnut, and vanilla bean. I really can’t afford the big tubs YET, so I go for the small ones. Their yoghurts slap too! I am a Greek and natural babe.

I could go on and on, but maybe a part 2 later on? Cause I haven’t even scratched the surface, so many Zim products to love out there.

But honestly, one of the things I love about food is how much nostalgia it packs. More than the taste, it’s the memory attached to it; the school days, road trips, visiting relatives, childhood treats, the supermarket run with your mother and so on.

So, if you enjoyed this little celebration of local flavour, please share the link to this blog with your chomeez and we can reminisce.

Now tell me, what are YOUR favourite Zimbabwean snacks and food products? 👀
Love & light 🧡