You know that deeply savoury flavour in a slow-cooked beef stew, the richness of a mature Parmesan cheese or the satisfying taste of mushrooms fried in butter? That is umami at work. Often described as savoury, meaty or broth-like, umami is recognised as the fifth basic taste, alongside sweet, sour, salty and bitter. It gives food a rounded, satisfying quality and can make a dish taste richer without necessarily adding more salt. The word comes from Japanese and is commonly translated as ‘deliciousness’ or ‘pleasant savoury taste’. Although chefs have long used ingredients that naturally contain umami, the science behind…
A twist on the classic meatballs in tomato sauce, these meatballs combine the zingy flavours of garlic and lemon for a fresh take. Parsley, mint, garlic and paprika…
With gut health in focus lately, we’ve seen a rise in cultured and fermented foods on offer. Not only are pre- and probiotic products taking the wellness industry by storm, but cultured and fermented foods are, too. But what exactly is the difference between cultured vs fermented foods? We break it down: what the differences are, when to eat which, and share some of our favourite recipes. Cultured vs fermented Cultured and fermented foods are packed with beneficial bacteria or probiotics, making them an important and very beneficial addition to your diet. And while all foods containing beneficial bacteria…
This World Food Day, MAGGI celebrates an innovation that continues to deliver distinctive taste, meaningful nutrition and accessible convenience This World Food Day, MAGGI South Africa is…
South Africa’s top ten Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOOs) for 2026 were named at the Absa Top 10 Olive Oil Awards on Thursday, 15 October, at Eensgezind Function Venue, Cape Farms. The ceremony celebrated the winning gold medal winners from this year’s SA Olive Awards and honours the EVOOs, their producers and the expertise, dedication and agricultural excellence that are shaping and evolving South Africa’s olive oil industry. Following the SA Olive Awards in September, a total of 33 gold medal-winning oils then underwent a further round of assessment and scrutiny by the expert judging panel, which selected this…
Few things are as satisfying as homemade focaccia, fresh from the oven with a golden, lightly crisp crust and a soft, airy centre. This classic Italian flatbread is…
The new South African health platform cuts through food fads with realistic guidance built around health, culture and everyday life. Food is deeply personal. It is nourishment, family, memory, culture and pleasure. It is also an area in which health misinformation thrives. South Africans are routinely confronted with extreme eating plans, ‘detoxes’, supplement promises and long lists of foods said to cause or cure inflammation. The result is often confusion, guilt and an approach to healthy eating that feels expensive or impossible to sustain. HealthLab is launching to offer something more useful. The new South African health platform provides clear…
A returning chef, a young kitchen team and a property-wide refurbishment have given Mount Grace Hotel & Spa a new look and a menu built on foraging, fermenting…
Looking for an elegant dinner that’s ready in just 20 minutes? This beef fillet, aubergine, tomato and haloumi stack layers tender, pan-seared beef with char-grilled vegetables, golden haloumi and fresh basil pesto. Finished with microgreens, it’s a flavour-packed dish that’s perfect for a special dinner or effortless entertaining. Also See: Tandoori roast cauliflower steaks with cucumber yoghurt & chilli https://www.foodandhome.co.za/features/tandoori-roast-cauliflower-steaks-with-cucumber-yoghurt-chilli
These braaied pork neck skewers are threaded with chunks of pork, onion and peppers, then basted with a delicious marinade. Grilled to smoky perfection, they’re bursting with flavour…