South African singer Tyla recently shared her ranking of popular local snacks in an interview with Elle UK. She was presented with a mystery box containing well-known South African treats and asked to rank them. Before trying the snacks, Tyla mentioned that one of her first stops when returning to South Africa is Nando's, where she orders an extra hot quarter chicken and chips, a Nando's roll, chicken livers, and a Sprite.
Tyla's ranking started with Ghost Pops, a Simba snack, which she placed at the top of her list, describing it as the best. Baxtons Apricots, a sweet familiar to many South Africans, was next but didn't rank highly due to Tyla's childhood memories of eating too many, jokingly claiming she was now allergic to them. Peppermint Crisp, a popular chocolate, received a positive reaction, with Tyla sharing that she often uses it to make a dessert, a Peppermint Crisp tart, but warned that it can taste like toothpaste due to its strong mint flavour.
Sparletta Sparberry, a bright red fizzy drink, was another snack Tyla tried. She revealed that her mother used to tell her it was medicine when she was young, and the association still lingered, as she said it still tasted like medicine to her. The Simba Mrs Balls Chutney chips proved to be another favourite, with Tyla admitting she had initially under-ranked them and deciding they deserved a higher spot than Ghost Pops.
Tyla also shared her thoughts on Romany Creams, a biscuit that holds a special memory for her, as she used to buy them for her dad on his birthday. However, since she's not a fan of biscuits, they didn't rank high. The Fizzer brought out an entertaining story from Tyla, who recalled being accused of shoplifting one when she was a child, only to be cleared after store camera footage showed she had entered the shop with an ice cream.
Biltong, a popular South African snack, was another strong contender, with Tyla praising it for being made from real meat and being a good source of protein. When faced with the choice between a braai and bunny chow, two quintessential South African foods, Tyla chose the braai, citing the variety of meats and salads as her reason.
For Tyla, who spends much of her time travelling, the snack challenge was a reminder of the strong connections she has to her home country through familiar tastes and memories. Her ranking may spark debate among South Africans, but it's clear that she hasn't forgotten the treats that made up her childhood.
Tyla's love for South African snacks and food is not new, as she often shares her favourite local dishes and restaurants with her fans. Her dedication to her African roots and culture was also evident at the recent SAMA32 awards, where she honoured her African heritage and celebrated fellow musicians.
Key points
- Tyla ranks Ghost Pops as her favourite South African snack
- The singer has a strong connection to her home country through familiar tastes and memories
- Tyla's ranking of local snacks may spark debate among South Africans
