By: Sherifat A. Mohammed

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Candles are often used in self-care routines, such as baths, meditation, or yoga practice. Their soft light and soothing scents enhance the experience, making it feel more indulgent and calming. The simple act of lighting a candle can signal to your brain that it’s time to focus on self-care and relaxation, which is essential for maintaining emotional balance.Candles can have a profound impact on your mood and emotional well-being. The combination of light, scent, and ambiance created by candles can trigger a variety of positive psychological and physical responses

Many candles are made with essential oils or scented wax that can have specific therapeutic effects on your mood. Aromatherapy has been shown to influence the brain's limbic system, which is responsible for emotions and memory. What if I told you there were candles made from essential oils from other countries that can give you a taste of different countries? Let me introduce you to Rashidat Mohammed of Taste the World Company. By day she works as a Public Health professional and by night she makes candles.Rashidat was born in Grady Hospital and raised in East Point, Georgia. She is a true ATL-ien. She attended Mt. Olive Elementary (now Asa G. Hilliard Elementary School), Woodland Middle School and Westlake High School. When it was time for college, she didn’t venture too far from Atlanta roots, by attending and graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in Health Promotions. She later obtained her MPH from the University of Kentucky and her MBA from Jackson State University. She combines her creativity with her public health background and her business degree to bring Taste the World Candle Company to the world. 

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Rashidat created Taste the World Candle Company as a way to provide unique hand-poured candles with a variety of African ingredients. As someone who enjoyed candles herself and used them to destress. She noticed a lack of representation. She noticed a lot of candles lacked an African touch. Africa is a continent of vast contrasts, rich histories, and immense cultural, geographical, and biological diversity. It is home to over 1.4 billion people across 54 countries, each with its own unique heritage, language, and traditions. From the bustling cities of Lagos and Cairo to the serene deserts of the Sahara and the lush rainforests of the Congo, Africa offers a complex tapestry of experiences that span millennia of history and culture.

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Africa’s cultural diversity is one of its most compelling features. The continent is home to thousands of different ethnic groups, languages, and traditions. According to Ethnologue, there are over 2,000 languages spoken across Africa, making it one of the most linguistically diverse regions in the world. North Africa is predominantly influenced by Arab culture and Islam, North Africa is home to countries like Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia. Spices like saffron can be found in countries like Morocco and Tunisia. 

West Africa is known for its vibrant music, dance, and colorful textiles, West Africa is a cultural powerhouse. The region is home to nations such as Nigeria, Senegal, and Ghana, where influences from indigenous traditions, Islam, and Christianity create rich cultural tapestries. West Africa is also the birthplace of some of the world’s most influential art forms, such as Afrobeat music, drumming, and intricate beadwork. The popular spicy dish Jollof rice (or Jellof rice) comes from the Western part of Africa, particularly in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Liberia. This flavorful, aromatic rice dish is often the centerpiece of celebrations, family gatherings, and everyday meals. Known for its rich, red color and distinctive taste. Jollof rice is a one-pot dish made by cooking rice in a flavorful tomato sauce base, often spiced with a variety of seasonings and ingredients like onions, garlic, ginger, and chili peppers. 

East Africa is equally culturally diverse, with a strong blend of indigenous traditions and external influences from both the Arab world and colonial powers. Ethiopia, known for its ancient Christian traditions, is one of the oldest civilizations on the continent. Countries like Kenya and Tanzania offer rich Maasai and Swahili cultural influences, as well as diverse languages and traditions. Ethiopia is often referred to as the birthplace of coffee, and for good reason. With a long history rooted in the discovery and cultivation of coffee, Ethiopia’s coffee culture is both rich and diverse, deeply woven into the country’s heritage, social fabric, and economy. The country’s unique coffee-growing regions, ancient traditions, and exceptional varieties of beans have earned Ethiopian coffee a global reputation for quality, flavor, and cultural significance.

Southern Africa is where you can find  the Zulu of South Africa to the Shona of Zimbabwe, Southern Africa is a region steeped in both ancient and modern cultural richness. Nutmeg is a spice that is used in South African cuisine, though it is not as central as some other spices like cumin, coriander, or peri-peri. However, nutmeg’s warm, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor makes it an important ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes, particularly in traditional South African recipes with influences from Cape Malay, Indian, and European culinary traditions. In addition, Nutmeg can be found in various dishes in Africa. 

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As Rashidat Taste to World Candle Co. to honor her late mother Taiwo, who had a passion for Africa and its resources. In Yoruba culture, when twins are born, the youngest twin is said to be sent down the birth canal first by the elder twin to “taste the world” to make sure it is safe to come out. The younger twin is given the name Taiwo, meaning “Taste the World". 

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She made each hand-crafted candle with ingredients from Africa incorporated in them so that others can taste the world through exploring the scent. The ingredients from Africa were incorporated by infusing them in a carrier oil. There are also all natural fragrance oils used in all candles to enhance the scents. She currently has six scents which are: 

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• Cocoa Heritage- which has real Ghanaian Cocoa infused into the candle 
• Traditional Spice-which has real West African Hot Pepper infused into the candle
• Black Coffee Ceremony-which has real Ethiopian Dark Roast Coffee infused into the candle
• Historic Hibiscus-which has West African Hibiscus as its main ingredient. Other notes include coconut, wild rose, and sandalwood teak, 
•  Red Gold which has Moroccan Red Saffron as one of its main ingredients. Other notes include vanilla, black pepper, and bergamot.
• Native Nutmeg -which has African Calabash Nutmeg as its main ingredient. Other notes include cinnamon, brown sugar, and baked bread. 

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Candles, through their combination of scent, light, and ambiance, can have a profound effect on your mood. Whether you’re looking to relax, boost your energy, improve focus, or simply enjoy a cozy, comforting atmosphere, a candle can help enhance your emotional well-being. Incorporating candles into your daily routine is a simple, yet effective way to improve your mood and create a soothing environment. 

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