THE KING OF SMALL CHOPS
If “Small Chops” were a kingdom, people would come from far and near to witness its beauty.
At the city gates, they’ll be met by the loyal guards, Springroll and Samosa; crispy, golden, and ever-ready to defend their people. Inside the city walls, they would meet the cheerful citizens, mosa, kind, sweet, and always buzzing with energy, alongside the occasional VIP guests, turkey, gizzard, and kebab. Those ones always arrive with great elegance and flair. Finally, all would rush to the centre of the city. Because at the heart of it all, seated on the throne with centuries of wisdom and undeniable sweetness, is the one the entire kingdom and beyond all serve and adore. His Royal Majesty, King Puff Puff, the timeless ruler of the Small Chops Kingdom.
Let’s be honest, without Puff Puff, can small chops ever be complete? You’ve got to understand that Puff Puff isn’t new to the game; he’s true to it. He is the OG before IG, the classic before the clout. Long before Springroll sailed in from Asia or kebab made its way from the Middle East, Puff Puff was already the life of Nigerian streets, weddings, and parties. With roots deep in West African tradition, puff puff has proven to be a staple of our culture. Much more than food, he tells the story of our rich Nigerian past.
It wasn’t an overnight coronation. Not at all. It took centuries for Puff Puff to earn the fame and glory it enjoys today. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, but with time, patience, and great resilience, Puff Puff grew strong enough to wear royal robes and a bejewelled crown with unmatched grace.
So, shall we take a stroll through history together and discover how our beloved king first came to be?
In pre-colonial West African communities, many centuries ago, different communities experimented with fermented grains and fried dough. This led to the birth of the ancestors of Puff Puff. Back then, it was regarded as a simple meal and was often shared during communal gatherings.
In the 15th to 19th centuries, during the trade and cultural exchange, through trade routes across West and Central Africa, different cousins of this fried delicacy began to make waves. These include Bofrot in Ghana, Mikate in Congo, and Beignet in Cameroon. Each culture gave fried dough its own twist, but Nigeria’s Puff Puff stood out.
The colonial era ushered in the importation of wheat flour and refined sugar. As creative and adventurous people, Nigerians began to fuse traditional recipes with these new, and now common, ingredients. Thus, the sweet, fluffy, golden brown version of Puff Puff as we know it today was born!
Post independence in 1960, Puff Puff took its rightful throne at celebrations. Whether it was at weddings, naming ceremonies, Christmas, or Eid, Puff Puff became part and parcel of every party. Being so affordable and easy to make made it even more popular, and its widespread love among all ages made it the very heartbeat of small chops.
Puff Puff has undergone some creative makeovers over the years, with some people creating pepper-filled, chocolate-filled, or caramel-glazed versions. However, even as it evolves, it never loses its traditional soul.
Today, whether it’s on a street corner, in a five-star restaurant or at an owambe, it’s always such a delight to see those beautiful golden brown balls of dough sitting pretty before you.
And that is why, now and always, in the Kingdom of Small Chops, all bow to the timeless, beloved, unbeatable, and eternal ruler, King Puff Puff.
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