I grew up surrounded by amazing food in the Ibibio tribe, Although my mother doesn't hail from Akwa Ibom, she certainly brought me up with a lobe of all the delicacies. The soups from my state are all mouth-watering but Afang soup? That's the king for me. It's not your regular soup, and if you don't agree, I beg to differ! Afang is like a whole party in a bowl, bursting with yummy things and nose-longing smells.
Afang holds a majority, if not all the classes of food. First things first, protein power! We've got fish, fresh and smoky, along with meaty chunks of beef, goat, or even cow skin for a chewy surprise. Stockfish, that salty dried fish, adds a deep flavour – like a wise combination of all the good things in the soup party. Protein.
But wait, there's more! Palm oil, a bright orange oil, joins the fun. It makes the soup rich and smoky, like a bonfire for your taste buds. This oily goodness is the base where all the other flavours come together. Oil.
Now, you gotta have something to soak up all that deliciousness, right? That's where the carbohydrates come in. Garri, and Sem whatever you take with you can never go wrong with Afang. It adds a fun contrast to the smooth soup. Or maybe fufu, soft and pillowy, will be your partner in crime. Feeling extra hungry? Pounded yam, a dense and filling choice, might be the champion for you. Your stomach would thank you, that's for sure.
Don't forget the Vegetables and minerals, Afang leaves, the heart of the soup, add a special, slightly bitter taste that cuts through all the richness. They're dark green, super tasty and leave a good impression with your taste buds party. Water leaves, bright green friends of Afang leaves, add a touch of mildness and vitamins, keeping things healthy. Vegetable leaves, tie the whole soup together, balance out the whole condiments and make every bite, swallow, lick, worth it.
Last but not least, water, the conductor of this whole symphony, brings everything together. It simmers and bubbles, coaxing out all the flavours from each ingredient, making sure everything plays its part perfectly. You can even adjust how thick or thin you want your soup – some like it spoon-sticking thick, while others prefer it light and dancey on the tongue.
Afang soup isn't just about the taste, though. It's a taste of Ibibio culture, a connection to my family history. Every slurp brings back memories of happy gatherings, laughter shared over steaming bowls, and the warmth of home. It's a reminder of how clever my ancestors were, turning simple ingredients into a delicious masterpiece.
I could go on and on talking about the masterpiece that Afang is, the story it holds behind every pot cover but alas, I must end here. So next time you see Afang soup, don't just see a bowl of food. See a story waiting to be told – a story of tradition, taste, and family love, all simmered together in a pot of pure deliciousness.
