Traditional Food

Niger's food is influenced by traditional African cuisines. Various spices are employed in the meals, which include grilled meat, seasonal vegetables, salads, and a variety of sauces. In Niger, meals traditionally begin with a colorful salad made with fresh vegetables. Salads using moringa leaves are popular.

A starch (rice is the most common) is served with a sauce or stew in a typical Nigerien dinner. Millet and rice are the most often consumed carbohydrates. Millet, rice, cassava, sorghum, maize, and beans are staple foods. Couscous is a dish that is reserved for special occasions. Niger's popular foods include porridge, wheat dumplings, and beignets.

Plant agriculture production in Niger is heavily dependant on rainfall for water, and droughts have harmed the country's agriculture production in the past, posing a threat to the country's domestic food supply. In Niger, tea is a popular beverage.

Ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, saffron, and cloves were among the spices brought to Niger by Arabian traders. Nigerien cuisine also incorporates hot spices. To add flavor to meats, spices are sometimes used to marinade them.