Costa Mesa, CA, April, 10, 2007-- The increased awareness of African culture and inspired recipes, cookbooks and restaurants has created a demand for African cuisine that the consumer can create themselves. Americans are embracing the foods of Africa as they embraced Italian, Chinese, and Hispanic foods, incorporating them into their every day eating habits. Africa is a land of unimaginable resources, beauty, unique cultures and traditions as well as wonderful foods. International Culinary Expert, Rochelle Schätzl travels across Africa studying the cuisines indigenous to the areas. Her mission is to educate people about these flavors, techniques, customs and passions. “The African culture views meal time as a celebration with families and friends. Time is spent together preparing the food and enjoying it. Eating is almost a ritual for the native Africans,” states Shchatzl. It is very different than the American culture where the drive-thru supplies dinner and sharing meals together is a thing of the past. African culture re-introduces the idea that meals are meant to be created and shared by families and friends. “In most of Africa they create meals out of what the local land provides mainly because of the limitations in logistics and distribution technology. They use a lot of peppers in their cuisine. One of the most exciting and healthy ingredients comes from the southern part of Africa, the Peri- Peri Pepper, also known as the African Bird's Eye Chile,” explains Schätzl. Peri-Peri is also the sauce that is created by blending these peppers with fresh sun-ripened lemons, garlic and exotic herbs and spices. Peri-Peri sauce was created by the Portuguese explorers who discovered the Peri-Peri Peppers in Africa during the 14th century. “Peri-Peri sauces are rich with Portuguese tradition and are often served as a condiment on the table with the meal. Peri-Peri is used on just about everything especially chicken, vegetables and seafood. Peri-Peri contains a delayed characteristic that allow the flavor of the food to be tasted before the heat,” further explains Schätzl. -More- This Portuguese culinary influence from both the West coast (Angola) and East coast ( Mozambique) has resulted in wonderful dishes like Peri-Peri Prawns, shrimp basted with a Peri-Peri sauce and grilled over an open fire and Frango Kafril flattened whole chickens marinated and basted in Peri-Peri sauces and flame grilled over open fires. African cuisine uses a lot of grilling in their food preparation. This is one of the reasons of the increased popularity of African cuisines. Americans love to grill and barbeque all year round. South African based Nando's, Inc. produced a line of Peri-Peri Sauces, Marinades, Spice Rubs/Grinders and Cooking/Grilling Sauces used to create favorite African Peri-Peri dishes. They are available in grocery and specialty stores nationwide. There are seven original Nando's Peri-Peri Sauces that range from very mild to extra hot and are full of flavor including: Wild Herb, Hot Sweet, Extra Mild Lemon, Garlic Pepper, Medium, Hot and Extra Hot Pepper. Peri-Peri Marinades include: Hot, Sundried Tomato, Portuguese BBQ, and Lime and Cilantro. Mild, Medium or Hot Peri-Peri Spice Rubs/Grinders are a delicious blend of spices and Peri-Peri Peppers that add flavor to any dish. Nando's Peri-Peri Cooking and Grilling Sauces come in Fresh Lemon, Roasted Reds, Sweet Apricot, and Curry Coconut. Consumers just have to add meat or vegetables for a delicious meal. Peri-Peri Peppers are one of the healthiest ingredients to use in cooking. Some of the proven benefits include high levels of Vitamin C, which is an antioxidant and is essential for the formation of collagen. It is also a tremendous source of vitamin A, folic acid and potassium. Chili peppers also contain Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium, Magnesium, Thiamine (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) and Niacin. In addition chile peppers have been used to treat oncology patients. They are thought to cause the release of endorphins, which reduces pain sensations and stimulate nerve endings which have some form of pain-numbing affect. In addition endorphins can cause a natural high and some people say that Peri-Peri is a great aphrodisiac! The Capsaicin in chile peppers enhances metabolism and has a lowering affect on cholesterol. Chile peppers are also an effective decongestant. Many people include Peri-Peri in their daily diet how much should you consume for good health? About 25 grams daily will give you the RDA Recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C. About Nando's USA: Nando's USA headquartered in Costa Mesa, CA distributes South African produced Nando's Peri-Peri Sauces, Marinades and other products from South Africa to the U.S. Products are internationally distributed with 700 Nando's Restaurants in over 35 countries. For more information, visit www. nandosusa.com or call 888-625-2657. ####