On a calm summer night, in mid-August 2025, I landed on the small, yet history-rich, island on East Africa’s east coast. It was my dream come true—to wake up in Zanzibar, the island of peace and spices. It did not take me long to realize that Zanzibari people lived by the island’s motto. Hakuna Matata. “There is no trouble.” What a welcoming atmosphere! On both sides of the narrow Stone Town Street, soft-spoken women whisper “karibu” to uninterested groups of tourists hoping to get them to enter their store and take a look at their overpriced souvenir items—particularly relaxed African print tops, art crafts, and cloth bags. Stonetown Street is the busiest street of the city by the same name, due to its ancient infrastructure which features three types of old sultanate doors— the Indian door, the Arab door, and the Zanzibar (Swahili) door. Despite the overcrowdedness of the street, calm still reigns. Hakuna Matata. The sunset in Stone Town opens to the evening of flavors and aromas at the famous Forodhani Food Market.
Food vendors showcase their spicing skills through the seasoned seafood, fish kebobs, and chicken Shawarma. Not beef. Not lamb. Not goat. Stacked on table stands, evenly grilled maize, also attract the attention of clients, both local and tourists. No worries about going to the kitchen after a long day’s walk. Forodhani vendors got you covered. Whereas the spicy food constitutes the main destination for the patrons, two special drinks reveal indispensable for the night. A warm cup of tea masala symbiotically harmonizes with the hot grilled seafood or chicken Shawarma.
There is no better place to taste a flavorful cup of tea Masala than in Stone Town, the capital city of spice traders. If you are a chai lover like me, and you happen to be at Forodhani food market, ask for Babu Chai and let him make you a good, flavorful potion of Chai Masala that you will remember for the rest of your life. Your body will thank you, and the tea-induced sleep will heal you. Most importantly, Babu’s story telling charm will hypnotize you. The other magical fresh drink I discovered at the exit of the market is sugar cane juice, pressed while you watch. After tasting a drop of it, my love for soda water instantly vanished, and I ordered a large cup to take home for the next day. Whether plain or with a touch of real lemon, ginger, or both, sugar can juice is the freshest and gentlest thirst quencher ever found on this human planet. I guarantee it.
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