As a consequence of societies’ evolution, food habits are changing and resulting in
serious issues. Consumers are experiencing new foods and new ways of consuming
traditional ones.
Café Touba and kinkeliba are important beverages in Senegalese diet.
Kinkeliba herbal tea is made of a decoction of dry leaves of
Combretum micranthum
.
Café Touba is made by pouring hot water over roasted, ground coffee (
Coffea robusta
)
and
Xylopia aethiopica
beans through a filter container. Sugar is added to the beverages,
which are generally consumed in breakfast or sold in the streets or in small restaurants
called
Tangana. Many Senegalese, especially the young, are involved into the business.
In this study, a survey was conducted in houses, streets and
Tangana where the
Café
Touba and kinkeliba are prepared, consumed or sold. The objective of the survey was to
determine methods of preparation and consumption of two local brews in Dakar. Sixty
(60) questionnaires were given to the target people to assess the preparation methods and
the amount of drinks consumed. Standard methods of preparation of
Café Touba and
kinkeliba were defined. From these methods, drinks were prepared and used to determine
the tannins contents. The added sugar and energy taken for one portion size were also
determined. The results showed differences in preparing methods and drinking habits of
Café Touba and kinkeliba. The house-made
Café Touba was more concentrated than the
one prepared and sold in streets or in
Tangana. Total dry leaves used for preparing the
house-made kinkeliba or sold in streets or in
Tangana were similar. Unlike the kinkeliba,
the amount of
Café Touba consumed in houses for one serving was higher than that in
Tangana or in streets. These drinks could be good sources of tannins which have
important therapeutic proprieties. However,
Café Touba and kinkeliba drinkers could be
exposed to an excessive added sugar consumption. In conclusion,
Café Touba and
kinkeliba are drinks that are well consumed by Senegalese. Promoting these local brews
could improve nutrition and health of consumers. However, the high amount of added
sugar in these drinks could increase the risk of chronic diseases.
