Dia International Market

No, silly, it has nothing to do with the airport… Dia International Market in Aurora is named for its charming owner, who brings to you a veritable bevy (yes, I said it) of culinary delights from his native country, Senegal, and beyond!
Have you ever had Kinkeliba tea? Many West African groups such as the Fulani and Bambara regularly partake of this infusion to put a little spring in their steps. And you guessed it — you can buy the leaves here! Or on a similarly beverage-​y note, how about some Bissap? Why yes, those little red flowers are indeed hibiscus blossoms, and taste phenomenal when steeped and mixed with vanilla and just a touch of ginger. Ooh, what’s in those little jars at the end of the row? These in fact hold preserves made from the fruit of the legendary Bouye (baobab) tree, and its tangy tartness will be especially appreciated by those of you who enjoy the English spread called lemon curd. Sometimes, you can even avail yourselves of another very refreshing local fruit, the emerald-​green Ditakh, whose flavor can best be described as «kiwi-​ish».
But all that botanical stuff is truly just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Near the front of the store you can find sizable bags of the ooh-​la-​là coffee called Café Touba, which gets its particular pungency from a mixture of cloves and Guinea pepper. Meanwhile, in the cooler towards the back you’ll see packages of fermented locust beans which, under various names (Néré, Soumbala, Nététou, etc.) give that indescribable and very fragrant «oomph» to dishes from Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana… oh wow, I could just go on forever. Many types of seasoning cubes and powders can be purchased, in a variety of flavors. (Garlic? Onion? Tomato? Yep!). And I can’t forget those little skinny cans of my favorite chocolate drink, Milo! All these and many other items are here for your delectation at Dia International Market, so stop by and have a peek.