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Spicy Water · Fresh Ginger Juice

Gnamakoudji

Gnamakoudji — street food from Ivory Coast
📷 Closely related photo — Photo: Rahul Tilak / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Its name literally translates to 'spicy water' in the Dioula language, a fair warning for how sharp the fresh ginger kick actually is.

Gnamakoudji is made by grating and straining fresh ginger root, then mixing the juice with water, sugar, and often pineapple, lemon, or mint. Street vendors across Ivory Coast sell it ice-cold from coolers and jugs, usually alongside grilled brochettes.

Why it's made this way: It originated as an Ivorian street specialty and folk remedy before spreading to become a popular everyday drink across much of West Africa.
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Part of World of Street Food — 690 dishes from 118 countries. Something wrong here? Tell us in the comments below. Photo credits.