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| Ambassador of Ghana to Korea Charis Obetsebi-Lamptey Zwennes, left, and Sam Okyere, a TV personality in Korea, host the Taste of Ghana event showcasing Ghana's culinary offerings at the ambassador's residence in Yongsan District, Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Kwon Mee-yoo |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Ghanaian cuisine is known for its distinctive mix of flavors and local ingredients. The Embassy of Ghana in Korea hosted an event to showcase the country's culinary offerings, with an emphasis on its liquors.
Ambassador of Ghana to Korea Charis Obetsebi-Lamptey Zwennes expressed hopes that Ghanaian cuisine could help bridge the two countries, during the event held at her residence in Yongsan District, Seoul, Wednesday.
"Today we are offering a small taste of Ghana. This event is to showcase some of the best of our country's products ― Kasapreko, a multinational company producing various alcoholic beverages, as well as the renowned Alomo Bitters, a herbal-based drink derived from Ghana's ample supply of organic ingredients and the GIHOC Distilleries, the first modern distillery to be established in West Africa and producer of the famous Takai, a delicious liquor made with Ghana's premium cocoa and coffee," she said.
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| Ghanaian liquors are on display during the Taste of Ghana event at Ambassador of Ghana Charis Obetsebi-Lamptey Zwennes's residence in Yongsan District, Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Kwon Mee-yoo |
"So we hope you will take advantage on this occasion to sample these quality and utterly delicious products that we believe can lead to new business opportunities and partnerships."
While acknowledging that Ghana's major exports to Korea are currently gold, timber and cocoa, the ambassador expressed her hope to diversify the range of exports and include other products such as liquors. Currently, Ghanaian liquors are not officially imported to Korea, but the ambassador believes that it has potential for the Korean market.
"When we participate in any fairs or events here, we always have Takai and it's always very popular. We now want to tell people it is available to meet the demand (in Korea)," Obetsebi-Lamptey Zwennes said.
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| Sam Okyere, a TV personality in Korea, gives explanations of the various liquors from Ghana during the Taste of Ghana event at the Ambassador of Ghana Charis Obetsebi-Lamptey Zwennes's residence in Yongsan District, Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Kwon Mee-yoo |
Sam Okyere, a TV personality in Korea, emceed the event and said considering Korea's widespread love for coffee, there is potential for Takai to gain popularity in the country.
"The liquor's name Takai comes from a type of traditional dance of the Dagomba people in northern Ghana," Okyere explained, adding that the liquor is also a good appetizer and digestive.
Okyere also described the other beverages offered at the event. He noted that Kasapreko London Dry Gin is a high-quality gin, Black Rock Honey Whiskey is smooth and sweet and Alomo Bitters is a herbal-based liquor widely popular in various African countries.
He also suggested trying Carnival Strawberry, a strawberry-flavored liquor, on the rocks.
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