Wagasi is a type of

West Africa West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali ...

cheese Cheese is a dairy product produced in wide ranges of flavors, textures, and forms by coagulation of the milk protein casein. It comprises proteins and fat from milk, usually the milk of cows, buffalo, goats, or sheep. During productio ...

made from cow's

milk Milk is a white liquid food produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals (including breastfed human infants) before they are able to digest solid food. Immune factors and immune-modulat ...

. It is commonly made by the Fulani people, especially those of Northern

Benin Benin ( , ; french: Bénin , ff, Benen), officially the Republic of Benin (french: République du Bénin), and formerly Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the nort ...

. It is sold in abundance in

Parakou Parakou is the largest city in northern Benin, with an estimated population of around 206,667 people, and capital of the Borgou Department. Administratively the commune of Parakou makes up one of Benin's 77 communes. Since 2015, its mayor is Sour ...

, a city in Central Benin. It is also found across West African countries, particularly in the Savanna zone on the latitude of Parakou. It is commonly known as in the Zarma- Songhai and Dendi languages, in the Fon language, in Nagot language and in Bariba language. The

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

also call it . In

Ghana Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and Tog ...

it is also widely known as ''wagashi'', which is most likely from the Zarma-Songhai word for it. It is relatively soft in texture and mild in flavor and is frequently used in cooking. As with many proteins and animal products used in Beninese foods, wagasi tends to be cooked and served in a sauce which is then eaten with a starch, such as pounded yams or pâte, the millet or maize 'porridge' staple of the area (

Hausa Hausa may refer to: * Hausa people, an ethnic group of West Africa * Hausa language, spoken in West Africa * Hausa Kingdoms, a historical collection of Hausa city-states * Hausa (horse) or Dongola horse, an African breed of riding horse See also ...

] or [acronym from Hausa (hot 'porridge')) in English-speaking areas.

Process

The cow's milk is warmed. It is then stirred with a leaf from a "fromagier" (a plant such as Bombax ceiba) or any other acidic substance. The milk begins to curdle, after, the curds are removed and then pressed into round cheese wheels. These are then dipped into a red wax that is made from another leaf to aid in preservation. Wagasi

Preparation

Wagasi can be prepared in various ways such as frying or boiling. It is usually served in the form of a substitute for fish or meat in stews. It also can be sold in a fried form when on a journey with pepper for dipping.

References

External links

Wagasi in sauceWagasi production
Beninese cuisine Beninese cheeses Cow's-milk cheeses Parakou {{benin-stub