Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our African ingredients.
Common Questions
What is attiéké?
Attiéké (pronounced at-chay-KAY) is a traditional side dish from Côte d'Ivoire, made from fermented and dried cassava. It has a light, fluffy texture and a mild, slightly tangy flavour. Think of it like couscous, but made from cassava rather than wheat.
It is a staple in Ivorian homes and goes well with grilled fish, braised chicken, stews, and sauces. It is naturally gluten-free and contains no additives or preservatives.
What is placali?
Placali is a smooth, thick paste made from fermented cassava. It is one of the most widely eaten foods in Côte d'Ivoire, typically served in soft rounds alongside a rich sauce, most often sauce graine (palm fruit sauce).
Placali has a mild flavour of its own, which makes it the perfect base for bold, well-seasoned sauces. If you have eaten fufu or ugali before, placali sits in the same family. It is satisfying, filling, and simple to prepare.
How do I prepare attiéké?
Attiéké is simple to cook straight from frozen. No defrosting needed.
By steaming (recommended):
- Place the attiéké in a colander or steamer basket over a pot of boiling water.
- Cover and steam for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Fluff halfway through with a fork.
- Season with a little salt, butter, or oil if you like, and serve.
By microwave:
- Place the attiéké in a microwave-safe bowl with a small splash of water.
- Cover and microwave on high for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork before serving.
Attiéké pairs well with grilled fish, chicken, pepper sauce, or any stew you already love.
How do I make sauce graine from dehydrated palm fruit pulp?
It is easier than it looks. Here is the full method:
- Empty the bag into a large bowl.
- Pour over 500ml to 700ml of warm water (not boiling).
- Leave to soak for 20 to 30 minutes until the pulp is soft.
- Use your hands to squeeze and work the pulp, separating the fibres from the sauce.
- Strain through a sieve, pressing out as much liquid as possible. Discard the dry fibre.
- Pour the strained sauce into a pot over medium heat.
- Add your choice of meat, fish, or vegetables, along with onion, chilli, and salt to taste.
- Simmer for 30 to 40 minutes until the sauce thickens and the oil rises to the surface.
Serve with attiéké, placali, white rice, or fufu.
How long do frozen products last?
Our frozen attiéké and placali are dispatched in insulated packaging to stay cold during transit.
- In your freezer: keep for up to 12 months from the date printed on the pack.
- Once defrosted: attiéké should be eaten within 24 hours. Placali can be kept for up to 2 days in the fridge. Do not refreeze either product.
Our dehydrated palm fruit pulp is shelf-stable. Store it in a cool, dry place and use within 12 months of opening.
What happens if my frozen order arrives defrosted?
Our frozen products travel in insulated packaging with cold packs and are designed to arrive in good condition.
If your order arrives fully defrosted and warm, please contact us within 24 hours of delivery with a photo of the package and we will resolve it for you.
If the products arrive cold but no longer fully frozen, they are safe to eat. Store them in the fridge and cook within 24 hours. For best quality, we recommend not refreezing.
You can reach us via the contact page.
Do you deliver across the UK?
Yes, we deliver to all UK mainland addresses.
- Frozen products are sent by next-day tracked delivery in insulated packaging. We dispatch Monday to Thursday to avoid weekend delays.
- Shelf-stable products ship as standard parcels with a 2 to 5 day delivery window.
Free UK delivery on orders over £40.
Can I send a bundle as a gift?
Yes. Our bundles make a thoughtful and practical gift, especially for anyone who loves to cook or wants to try Ivorian food for the first time.
To send a bundle as a gift, simply enter the recipient's address at checkout. You are welcome to leave a message in the order notes and we will include it with the parcel.
Frozen orders require next-day delivery, so make sure the recipient is available to receive it.
Are these products suitable for vegans?
Yes. Attiéké, placali, and our dehydrated palm fruit pulp are all naturally plant-based, gluten-free, and dairy-free. They contain no artificial additives or preservatives.
I have never cooked Ivorian food before. Where do I start?
The Ivorian Kitchen Bundle is a great place to start. It contains attiéké and dehydrated palm fruit pulp, the most iconic pairing in Ivorian cooking, along with clear preparation instructions.
Attiéké cooks in under 10 minutes and pairs with almost anything. Sauce graine takes more time but the method is simple and the result is worth it.
If you have questions along the way, the contact page is always open.
Still have questions?
We are happy to help. Get in touch and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Our Story
Côte d'Ivoire has some of the most extraordinary food in the world. Nogbous is how it reaches your kitchen.
Where it all began
Growing up, certain foods were simply part of life. Attiéké alongside grilled fish on a weeknight. Placali in smooth, warm rounds served beside a sauce graine that had been cooking since morning. These were not special occasion dishes. They were everyday food. And some of the best food in the world.
When I moved to the UK, I kept looking for them. I found things here and there, in specific shops and in certain cities. But never reliably. Never presented with any care. And never acknowledged for what they actually are. Proper, nourishing, deeply satisfying cooking with centuries of tradition behind it.
Nogbous is the answer I kept wanting someone else to build.
What we do
We bring authentic Ivorian ingredients directly to UK homes. Attiéké is a fermented cassava couscous from the lagoon communities of Côte d'Ivoire. Placali is a smooth fermented cassava paste that belongs beside a proper sauce graine. Dehydrated palm fruit pulp forms the base of one of the most widely eaten dishes in West Africa, made the way it should be using only palm fruit and water.
Every product is chosen because it deserves to be in your kitchen. Not because it follows a trend. Because it is genuinely good food, and it has been for a very long time.
Who we are for
For the Ivorian diaspora
Your flavours. Trusted quality. Delivered to your door so you never have to compromise on what home tastes like.
For curious UK cooks
Every product comes with clear preparation guidance. Attiéké cooks in under 10 minutes. Sauce graine takes time and patience. You will know exactly what to do.
Our Promise
No unnecessary additives. No overblown claims. Just real ingredients from real places, for your everyday life. We are glad you found us.