The Memoirs of Economic Blockade/Blocket/Blockate/Block Cakes

Economic Blockade is a staple bread that is widely consumed in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. Blockade is baked in the shape of a square or rectangular block with 24 individuals rolls (little cakes). It is this unique shape that gave the inspiration behind the naming of the bread as “Block Cakes.” In the market, consumers called the bread based on their own phonetics. Hence, the reason why the bread has multiple pronunciations (Blockade, Blockate, Blocket…) The thick layer, fluffy, sweet, butter flavor, and most importantly the affordable price of the bread fed people across generations. Back then, blockade was eaten in almost every house in the Southwest Region of Cameroon; particularly, in cities such as Tiko, Mutengene, Limbe, Buea, and Kumba where it was produced and distributed. It gained loyal customers (myself included) who attested to the bread being the ultimate savior from hunger.

Over the years, the production of blockade began to decline as new bakeries sprung up and introduced new pastry products in the market to meet the preference of new consumers that they are gaining from population growth and changes in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. Block Cakes that was everywhere at any time has now become a scarce commodity. Only fewer bakeries still produce this bread to continue this tangible Cameroonian culinary cultural heritage. The older generations with a blockade food culture are clamoring for the come back of blockade while the new generations are still to understand the treasure of this bread.

During the Africa Cup of Nations Football Tournament hosted in Cameroon in 2022. I received a picture of blockade from my niece who is a local distributor in Limbe. I shared the picture on Keng’s Kitchen Facebook Page as a Cameroonian bread I recommend for all victors to eat during the football tournament. Oh my! little did I know the post was going to be wave of nostalgic experiences about this bread. I read the comments 100 and counting. I laughed and laughed and felt inspired to write this blog. However, being in the USA which is thousands of miles from Cameroon, I sought the consulting services of my niece Annie of Annie’s Kitchen, a blockade distributor to take some pictures of the many ways that we eat blockade in Cameroon and she delivered. Thank you Annie. You are the best.

He Deserves an Award

"Ohh Blockade!!! I still remember how u stood the gap for us back in the 90's. Between after school hours and lunch, there was blockade and very cool water from Down Gardens Tap. Blockade!!! The legendary saviour in my primary school era. Oh Blockade!!! The ultimate mediator between hunger and us on days when Mummy when to the market and over stayed. 

Oh Blockade!!! The indispensable negotiator who will keep a huge smile on our faces whenever Mummy went for Dynamic Ladies meetings and forgot that yesterday's food will not sustain us longer because it was getting finish already. Oh Blockade!!! The only man standing were back those days when we come back from school and Mum was still fixing something for us to eat. It will take only 25frs to put an end to the muffling going on in one's rumbling stomach.

Two economic blockade from Pa Arrey or Chukwuma and half a litter of water to push it down was a good deal till when food was ready. And the most amazing thing about Blockade is, it is a complement to all soups. Blockade and beans, Blockade and stew, Blockade and mbanga soup, Blockade and groundnut soup, Blockade and pap and tea, even empty Blockade, de still go and the list goes on. Oh Blockade!!! All the infant hunger wars, u won them for us. Oh Blockade!!! All the survival we have been surviving as kids, ur hand be dey dey. Blockade thank u for always stopping hunger in the yesteryears from getting to us." Smith Tambi

The Different Varieties of Blockade/Blockate/Blocket/Block Cakes Combo

As captured by Blockade lovers in the comment section on Keng’s Kitchen’s Facebook Page. Get ready to drive down memory lane with a smiling face.

"😅😅😅 blockade of all time... appetizing with fried groundnut...😋..10frs each"

"Blockade hot one with fried groundnuts the rest na history chai."

"You see this combination of ground but and blocket leavam na man Way no know. It di sweet na for back head.’’

"Chaiii man wey no sabi blockade no sabi enjoyment oooooo . Buea back in the days we had this lady called mami John in G soppo  …. When u go ready for put chocolate and butter hot blockade …..with the Buea cold and rain that never stops" 

"HOT BLOCKADES AND CHOCOLATE NA DIE, I SWEAR. I REALLY MISS TIKO, BUEA, LIMBE, KUMBA. TCHIEEEEEEEE MAMAMIEEHHHH"

"Painga those old good days man dey killam with choco and butter"

"surtout quand ca sort directement  du four, avec du beurre et du chocolat. Mort moratoire"

"I can eat it with butter and chocolate morning, afternoon and evening."

"Give me 6 bloket chocolate for 25."

“The one with accra beans too with small pepper you go surely forget your name"

" with accra beans inside👌👌👌"

“I used to eat blocate with Akra so yummy”

"Best bread we call it economic blockade. Si delicious with butter😋😋if you have money you add chocolate chaiiii😋😋😋😋my mouth don wet"

“Blockate and Bean in Secondary School. Chop go sleep for class hahahahahaha”

"They should eat with canda sauce"

"Blocade and fupfup stew in Tiko"

“Hot Blocate and Butter Pear di answer.”

“Blocate and pap for mami achombo. make God bless that reme them”

More Captivating Memoirs

"No matter Wati reme cook for house if I no chop blockade I can't be satisfied ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️I missed it"

"Should be recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural and culinary heritage from Cameroon."

"I prefer this bread to iPhone 13  it has stood the test of time legendary product"

"Chai blockade the way e sweet ehh"

Blockade Supplier in Cameroon

Contact Annie’s Kitchen on Facebook for your supply of freshly baked blockade.