Zeer in the Right Direction – Pot in Pot fridge keeps food fresh without electricity

So the Zeer pot was invented a while back by a Nigerian teacher from a pot-making family background. But this is the kind of story we love. His invention, while simple, has been a game changer for thousands of market women and Men in the business of selling fresh produce across many cities in Africa. Fresh ideas are always welcome :)

[DARFUR] Hawa Osman is a farmer in Darfur, Sudan. She grows tomatoes, okra, carrots, and rocket lettuce, and also has small orchard of guava trees.

In the hot weather of Darfur, Hawa used to lose half of the crops she hoped to sell each day in the market of Al Fashir, the capital city of North Darfur, because of inadequate storage facilities — and no electricity or refrigerator — in her small canteen, the shed made out of wood and palm leaves in which she displays her products to clients.

But these days she is selling fresher produce and making bigger profit. This is because of an ingenious device — the zeer pot — that was invented by a Nigerian teacher, Mohammed Bah Abba and introduced to Darfur last year.

The zeer is a large pot inside which fits another smaller pot with a clay lid. The space between the two pots is filled with sand, creating an insulating layer around the inner pot. The sand is then kept damp by adding water at regular intervals — generally twice a day — reducing the temperature within the inner post decrease.

How it works:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNKifJHqScc&feature=related

Each zeer can contain 12 kg of vegetables, and costs less than US$2 to produce.

Experiments assessing its ability to extend shelf life show that tomatoes and guavas can be kept for 20 days, compared to just two without. Even rocket, which usually lasts only a day before wilting, can be kept for five days.

Read on: http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/2004/september/refrigeration.htm

Every Thursday is now Thank you Thursday!

We’ll be giving away the amazing “Zombie” tee today as a gigantic thank you to one lucky Kickstarter backer!

If you needed an extra incentive, this is it. 

The Zombie tee is Literati’s tribute to the late great Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Shortly after the change of his name to Anikulapo (meaning ‘one who has death in his pocket’). His hit album Zombie, an attack on the Nigerian military, was a precursor/ catalyst that led to an attack on him, bringing Fela face to face with death. The intertwining of these events and its duality inspired this piece.

Check out the tee below…but first, become a backer today with $15 or more and get in the running! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/786164501/my-africa-is you have until midnight ET to enter this contest!

Thanks for supporting MyAfricaIs

About Literati: Described as political philosophy meets urban fashion on the upper end of the high street, The Literati brand creates limited edition wearable and collectible art printed on high quality fitted garments. For full collection visit http://www.iamliterati.com/products or email contactus@iamliterati.com