The challenge with shopping for African groceries in the US is that most African grocery stores are concentrated in a handful of cities — Atlanta, Houston, Washington DC, parts of New York and New Jersey. If you're not near one, or if you want the convenience of online ordering rather than driving across town, your options have historically been limited to Amazon (inconsistent quality and sourcing) or specialty importers with spotty stock and slow shipping.
African Delights is a US-based online store focused specifically on West African and Ghanaian food, art, and household products. Here's what's available and how to navigate the catalog if you're ordering for the first time.
Groceries: The Core Pantry Staples
Our groceries collection covers the everyday cooking staples you'd find in a Ghanaian or West African kitchen. This includes:
- Banku and kenkey mixes — fermented corn/cassava dough mixes that would otherwise require either sourcing pre-made from a local store or making from scratch
- Fufu and plantain flours — instant-prep versions of the pounded starch dishes (fufu, otor, etc.) that are the base of many West African meals
- Palm nut soup base — the canned base for abenkwan (palm nut soup), one of Ghana's most important soups
- Dried fish and crayfish — essential flavor builders in West African cooking that are difficult to find outside of a physical African grocery
- Rice varieties — long-grain, parboiled, and specialty rices suited to jollof rice, waakye, and other dishes
See our guide to fermented Ghanaian foods for context on kenkey, banku, gari, and attieke if you're new to these staples.
Snacks: What to Order If You're New to West African Food
Our snacks collection is a good starting point if you're buying for someone who isn't already familiar with West African food — plantain chips, chin chin, cashews, ghanola, and bofrot mixes are all approachable and don't require any cooking. They also ship well and have long shelf lives.
If you're already familiar and want the full range, the snacks collection covers everything from the basics to more niche items like gari (dried cassava flakes for soakings) and agege bread mix. Browse our Ghana snacks and candy guide for a breakdown of what's worth trying first.
Spices and Seasonings: The Flavor Foundation
Our herbs, spices, and seasoning collection stocks the flavor building blocks of West African cooking:
- Suya spice — the dry rub used for suya (West African grilled meat skewers); works on chicken, beef, and pork
- Egye aware — a Ghanaian mixed spice blend used in soups and stews
- Hwentia (grains of selim) — a smoky, aromatic spice used in palm nut soup and other Ghanaian dishes
- Bouillon cubes — West African-specific brands like Doli and Adja, which have a different flavor profile from European brands like Maggi or Knorr
See our West African bouillon guide for a breakdown of the different bouillon options and when to use each.
Chocolate and Candy: Ghanaian-Made
Ghana is one of the world's largest cocoa producers, and buying Ghanaian-made chocolate is one of the most direct ways to experience that. Our Amonu Ghanaian chocolate gift boxes and the broader candy collection includes both the premium Amonu line (single-origin, gift-box format) and the classic Kingsbite milk chocolate bar — a Ghanaian brand that's been a household staple there for generations.
African Art, Home, and Craft Items
Beyond food, our arts collection stocks items that are difficult to source outside of a physical African market: djembe drums (hand-carved, with real goat skin heads), Baule masks and Benin bronze heads, mud cloth, raffia baskets, fabric dolls, and Adinkra-carved items. These are particularly relevant for gift-giving around the holidays, Kwanzaa, or any occasion where you want something culturally specific and handmade.
Bath and Body: African Wellness Products
Our bath and body collection includes raw African shea butter, African black soap, coconut oil, African exfoliating net sponges, and herbal skincare products. These are practical purchases for anyone who uses natural body care products, and they also make good gifts for the person on your list who's into wellness or natural skincare.
How Ordering Works
African Delights ships across the US with standard ecommerce timelines — most orders ship within 1–3 business days. All products are shelf-stable or in sealed packaging. There's no minimum order for retail purchases. If you're buying for a restaurant, African grocery store, or food service operation, our wholesale option through Ghana Trade House USA is worth looking at for case-pack pricing on high-volume items.
Retail and Wholesale Options
You can shop all products mentioned in this guide at African Delights — our main retail store with individual-unit pricing and shipping across the US. If you're stocking up for a restaurant, grocery store, or ecommerce operation, our wholesale storefront Ghana Trade House USA offers case-pack pricing on the same products. Visit our wholesale info page to see what's available in bulk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does African Delights ship across the entire US?
Yes — we ship to all US states. Standard shipping timelines apply; order in advance for holidays when carrier volumes are highest.
Is the African food authentic and imported from West Africa?
Yes — our groceries, spices, and pantry staples are imported from West Africa, primarily Ghana and neighboring countries. Products are the same brands and items you'd find in a physical African grocery store.
What's the best starting order if I'm new to West African food?
Start with the snacks collection — plantain chips, chin chin, and roasted cashews are easy introductions. Then move to spices (suya spice, bouillon) if you want to cook West African food at home. Our Ghana snacks and candy guide covers the basics.
Can I buy in bulk for a restaurant or event?
Yes — through our wholesale storefront at Ghana Trade House USA, we offer case-pack pricing on key grocery and snack items. Visit our wholesale info page for details.
