Maziwa. Or, why use coconut milk instead of real milk.

This is maziwa. Also known as milk.

I was wondering why so many breads use coconut milk here... An old coconut for grating is about TZS500 (500 shillings)  - about 30 cents. The box of coconut milk powder imported from Malaysia via the middle eastern market will set you back about $2.75, between TZS3500 and 4500. Ok so it doesn't have the nutritional value of an actual coconut but you also don't have to grate t, it keeps for a whole, and makes a decent amount of coconut milky flavoured stuff. 

BUT: this UHT milk from Kenya cost me TZS1200 for 250mL. Which is less than a dollar, but works out at 4800/litre. Which is more than $3.00/litre. Seriously???

Looks like it's powdered coconut, all the way. *has a little "it's cheaper in Australia!!" tantrum*

It's the little rorts like this that make me realize: living in Africa is expensive. I know I shouldn't cry over spilt milk, but it's more the fact that this isn't an isolated incident. Carrots are $2/kg and they're fairly common foodstuffs. Compare the wage I was on in Australia to the average income here... Poverty happens. Simple.