Tyla Reveals The South African Snacks She Loves Most As Global Star Opens Up About Her Childhood Memories

JD GLOBAL MEDIA | SOUTH AFRICA

Published: 21 September 2026

South African global music star Tyla has given fans a glimpse into the tastes and childhood memories that remain close to her heart, revealing some of her favourite South African snacks and foods during a recent international interview.

The Johannesburg-born singer was presented with a mystery box containing familiar South African treats and asked to rank them. What followed was a light-hearted conversation filled with memories of childhood, family, food, travelling and the experience of returning home after establishing herself as one of the country's most internationally recognised music stars.

The interview has attracted attention in South Africa because the foods featured are deeply familiar to millions of people, turning what could have been a simple celebrity food challenge into a nostalgic trip through some of the country's best-known snacks.

From Ghost Pops and biltong to Peppermint Crisp, Romany Creams, Fizzers and Sparletta Sparberry, Tyla's reactions showed that even after reaching international stages, some of the tastes and memories associated with growing up in South Africa remain part of her identity.

TYLA'S FIRST STOP WHEN SHE RETURNS HOME

Before opening the mystery box, Tyla spoke about one of the things she likes to do when she returns to South Africa.

She revealed that Nando's is one of her first stops after landing, describing a particular order that includes an extra-hot quarter chicken and chips, a Nando's roll, chicken livers and a Sprite.

For a performer who spends much of her professional life travelling internationally, the detail offered a simple picture of how she reconnects with home.

International fame can mean long periods away from familiar surroundings, with artists moving between recording studios, concerts, promotional appearances, fashion events and other commitments.

Returning to a familiar restaurant or eating food associated with home can therefore become part of the routine of coming back.

Tyla also spoke about spending time with family after nights out, saying a braai with her family is something she enjoys.

The comments gave the interview a distinctly South African character, with the singer connecting international celebrity life to ordinary experiences that many people associate with home.

GHOST POPS MAKES A STRONG IMPRESSION

When the mystery box was opened, Ghost Pops immediately attracted Tyla's attention.

The Simba snack became one of the strongest contenders in her ranking, with Tyla describing it enthusiastically after tasting it.

The reaction was significant because Ghost Pops is a familiar South African snack associated with childhood and local supermarket shelves.

For viewers watching the interview, the appeal was not simply the ranking itself.

Tyla's reactions brought back memories of the snacks that many South Africans grew up eating at home, at school, during family outings or while watching television.

Food can be closely linked to childhood memories, and the singer's comments demonstrated how those connections can remain even after someone has spent years living a highly international lifestyle.

Her preference for Ghost Pops also became one of the lighter moments of the interview, particularly because the ranking was presented as a personal choice rather than a serious assessment of South African food.

MRS BALL'S CHUTNEY CHIPS MOVE UP THE LIST

Tyla also had strong feelings about Simba Mrs Ball's Chutney chips.

After initially placing them in her ranking, she reconsidered and decided they deserved to move higher.

That spontaneous change was one of the entertaining moments of the challenge.

The flavour combination is familiar to South African consumers, and the reaction illustrated how quickly a recognisable taste can trigger a personal preference.

Rather than simply naming a favourite, Tyla was effectively revisiting foods that had been part of her childhood.

The ranking also demonstrated that celebrity food interviews can reveal small details about an artist that are not normally visible during music interviews.

Instead of discussing charts, performances or recording projects, Tyla was talking about snacks that she remembers from growing up.

That made the conversation more personal and informal.

PEPPERMINT CRISP BRINGS BACK DESSERT MEMORIES

Another South African favourite that caught Tyla's attention was Peppermint Crisp.

The chocolate prompted a particularly strong response, with the singer revealing that if she prepares dessert, there is a good chance it could be Peppermint Crisp tart.

She also joked about the chocolate's intense mint flavour, comparing the taste to toothpaste.

Peppermint Crisp tart is a familiar South African dessert, making the reference another link between Tyla's international career and her local upbringing.

The singer's comments also show how food can travel with people.

While recipes and ingredients can be found internationally, particular foods can carry memories of family gatherings, celebrations and childhood.

For Tyla, Peppermint Crisp is not simply a chocolate bar.

It is also associated with a dessert she enjoys making.

SPARLETTA SPARBERRY HAS A VERY DIFFERENT MEMORY

The singer's reaction to Sparletta Sparberry was less enthusiastic.

She recalled that her mother used to tell her that the bright red fizzy drink was medicine when she was young.

That childhood association apparently remained strong enough that, even years later, the drink still reminded her of medicine.

The story became one of the more humorous parts of the interview because it demonstrated how childhood experiences can influence the way people remember particular foods and drinks.

For other South Africans, Sparletta Sparberry may instead be associated with birthday parties, family gatherings or school events.

Tyla's reaction showed that the same product can carry completely different memories depending on how someone encountered it growing up.

BAXTONS APRICOTS BRING BACK TOO MANY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES

Tyla's relationship with Baxtons Apricots was also shaped by childhood.

She explained that she had eaten so many of them when she was younger that she jokingly described herself as now being "allergic" to them.

The comment was made humorously, but it reflected the familiarity that can develop when a particular snack becomes a regular part of childhood.

Rather than being an exotic food discovery, the mystery box was filled with items Tyla already knew.

That meant the challenge was really about memory and preference.

Each snack prompted a different story, reaction or association.

The interview therefore became less about determining which snack was objectively the best and more about understanding which foods remained meaningful to the singer.

ROMANY CREAMS HAVE A FAMILY CONNECTION

Romany Creams brought a different kind of memory.

Tyla explained that she used to buy the biscuits for her father on his birthday.

The detail added a family element to the interview and showed how a familiar food can become connected to specific occasions.

However, because she said she is not particularly fond of biscuits herself, Romany Creams did not rise particularly high in her ranking.

The distinction between liking a food personally and associating it with someone else was clear.

For Tyla, the biscuits carried a memory involving her father, even if they were not among her own preferred treats.

That is one of the reasons food-related conversations often become unexpectedly personal.

A snack can represent a person, a place, a celebration or a period of someone's life.

THE FIZZER STORY BECOMES ONE OF THE FUNNIEST MOMENTS

One of the most memorable stories came when Tyla encountered a Fizzer.

She recalled an incident from childhood when she and her sister walked out of a shop while she was chewing on one.

The shop owner apparently believed she had stolen the sweet.

According to Tyla's recollection, security footage later showed that she had actually entered the shop carrying an ice cream.

The misunderstanding was eventually resolved, but she remembered the incident as highly dramatic.

The story gave viewers a glimpse into a much younger Tyla, long before she became an international recording artist.

It was also one of the clearest examples of how the mystery-box challenge moved beyond food.

Each product could open a door to a memory.

Instead of simply saying whether she liked a sweet, Tyla connected the Fizzer to a childhood incident that she could still remember years later.

BILTONG REMAINS A FAVOURITE

Biltong was another item that received a strong response.

Tyla explained that one of the things she likes about biltong is that it is real meat, and she also highlighted its protein content.

The snack is deeply associated with South African food culture and is commonly eaten as a convenient snack, particularly during travel, road trips and social gatherings.

For Tyla, the appeal appears to be straightforward.

It tastes familiar, is easy to eat and fits into a lifestyle that involves frequent travel.

Biltong can also be found outside South Africa, but its strongest cultural associations remain linked to the country where it became a popular everyday food.

The singer's enthusiasm therefore provided another connection to her South African roots.

BRAAI OR BUNNY CHOW? TYLA CHOOSES BRAAI

The interview eventually moved from snacks to one of South Africa's most familiar food debates.

Tyla was asked to choose between braai and bunny chow.

Her answer was braai.

She explained that she likes the variety because a braai can include different types of meat as well as salad.

The answer fits with her earlier comments about enjoying braais with family after returning home.

For many South Africans, the braai is not simply a meal.

It can be a social occasion involving family, friends, music and conversation.

That cultural element may help explain why the food remains significant for South Africans living abroad or travelling internationally.

For Tyla, the braai appears to represent both the food itself and the experience surrounding it.

A GLOBAL STAR STILL CONNECTED TO JOHANNESBURG

Tyla's international success has changed the scale of her career, but her comments continue to reflect her South African upbringing.

The singer was born and raised in Johannesburg, and her background has remained closely connected to the sound and culture that helped shape her music.

Her rise from South Africa to international stages has also made her one of the country's most visible younger music stars.

Earlier international profiles have documented how her musical identity developed through a combination of pop, R&B and South African amapiano influences.

Her global breakthrough demonstrated that South African musical influences could travel far beyond the country's borders.

That makes seemingly small moments such as a snack interview more interesting.

The foods she remembers are part of the same cultural environment that helped shape the artist audiences now see on international stages.

FROM JOHANNESBURG TO THE WORLD

Tyla's career developed rapidly.

She began releasing music while still young and eventually built an international audience through songs including "Water".

Her musical style has drawn from South African sounds while incorporating global pop and R&B influences.

An earlier profile described her interest in combining amapiano with other musical styles and highlighted how her South African upbringing influenced her creative identity.

In 2024, her international profile expanded dramatically, including a Grammy win for Best African Music Performance for "Water".

Her success also contributed to greater international attention on South African music and amapiano.

The singer has subsequently continued developing her sound and international profile.

In a 2026 interview with NME, she discussed going deeper into her roots and the development of her second album, A*Pop, while also discussing influences including dancehall and her collaboration with Zara Larsson.

WHY FOOD HAS BECOME PART OF THE TYLA STORY

For a global musician, interviews often concentrate on albums, performances, fashion and celebrity.

The South African snack challenge offered something different.

It presented Tyla outside the traditional entertainment interview format.

Instead of asking her about the music industry, the conversation asked her to remember what she ate growing up.

That created a much more relaxed picture of the singer.

Her comments about Nando's, family braais and childhood snacks showed the ordinary routines behind an extraordinary career.

The contrast is striking.

On international stages, Tyla performs for audiences around the world.

In the interview, she was discussing the same snacks that many South Africans recognise from local shops.

That contrast helped the story attract attention.

HER SOUTH AFRICAN ROOTS REMAIN PART OF HER IDENTITY

Tyla's relationship with South Africa has remained visible throughout her career.

Her music incorporates sounds associated with the country, while her public appearances frequently highlight aspects of her upbringing.

Her earlier interviews have also discussed her experience growing up in Johannesburg and the importance of South African music and dance to her artistic development.

That connection has become part of her international identity.

She is not simply a singer who happens to have been born in South Africa.

Her South African background is closely connected to the sound and image she has taken to international audiences.

That makes moments such as the snack interview another way of seeing how culture remains present in her life.

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES BEHIND THE CELEBRITY IMAGE

Perhaps the most interesting part of the interview was how many of the foods triggered personal memories.

The Fizzer reminded her of an incident with a shop owner.

Romany Creams reminded her of buying biscuits for her father.

Sparletta Sparberry reminded her of what her mother told her as a child.

Peppermint Crisp connected to dessert.

Baxtons Apricots brought back memories of eating too many of them while growing up.

And biltong remained a familiar favourite.

These stories made the interview more than a simple ranking.

They created a snapshot of childhood memories carried into adulthood.

THE INTERVIEW ALSO SHOWED THE PERSONAL SIDE OF FAME

Tyla's career now involves international travel and major performances, but the interview showed that fame does not necessarily erase ordinary preferences.

She still has favourite foods.

She still remembers childhood stories.

She still enjoys returning home.

And she still associates particular products with family.

Those details can make a global celebrity feel more familiar to audiences who have followed her career from South Africa.

For South African fans, the appeal may also come from seeing someone who represents the country internationally talk casually about foods found in ordinary local shops.

A SOUTH AFRICAN CULTURAL MOMENT

The snack interview also reflects the way South African food culture is increasingly appearing in international entertainment conversations.

As South African musicians, actors, athletes and creators gain international visibility, elements of everyday South African life are increasingly being introduced to audiences elsewhere.

Tyla's global platform provides an especially visible example.

A person watching the interview outside South Africa may hear about Ghost Pops, biltong, Peppermint Crisp, Sparletta Sparberry or bunny chow for the first time.

For South Africans, those products require no explanation.

They are familiar.

That difference in perspective is part of what makes the interview culturally interesting.

MORE THAN A SNACK RANKING

Although the mystery-box challenge was presented as entertainment, it ultimately became a conversation about identity.

Tyla's choices were personal.

She did not attempt to establish an official hierarchy of South African snacks.

Instead, she explained why particular foods reminded her of specific people, places and periods of her life.

That distinction matters because taste is subjective.

One person's favourite snack may be another person's least favourite.

Tyla's ranking therefore works best as a reflection of her own childhood and preferences rather than a definitive judgment on South African food.

TYLA'S CONNECTION TO HOME

The strongest theme running through the interview was home.

Her comments about immediately going to Nando's after landing, spending time with family, enjoying braais and remembering childhood snacks all pointed toward the same idea: returning to South Africa means reconnecting with familiar experiences.

That can be especially meaningful for someone whose professional life now takes place across international borders.

The more global an artist's career becomes, the more significant familiar surroundings can become.

For Tyla, food appears to be one of those connections.

THE GLOBAL CAREER CONTINUES

The snack interview comes as Tyla continues building her international music career.

Her second-album era has expanded her artistic conversation beyond the breakthrough associated with "Water", while interviews have highlighted her interest in exploring her roots and different musical influences.

Her continued international visibility has also helped maintain attention on South African music and culture.

But despite the scale of her career, the latest interview offered an uncomplicated reminder of where the story began.

Before international awards, global tours and worldwide audiences, there was a young Johannesburg girl growing up with her family and eating many of the same snacks that remain familiar to South Africans today.

A TASTE OF HOME FOR A GLOBAL STAR

Tyla's mystery-box challenge ultimately became a small but revealing portrait of the South African superstar.

Ghost Pops, Mrs Ball's Chutney chips and biltong emerged as memorable favourites.

Peppermint Crisp connected to dessert.

Romany Creams connected to her father.

Sparletta Sparberry brought back a childhood association with medicine.

Fizzer brought back a funny shop incident.

And the choice between braai and bunny chow produced a clear answer: braai.

None of these moments involved a major concert or music award.

Yet together they revealed something that can sometimes disappear behind the image of an international celebrity — the ordinary memories that remain part of a person's identity.

For Tyla, those memories are unmistakably South African.

FROM LOCAL SNACKS TO GLOBAL STAGES

Tyla's journey illustrates how far a South African artist can travel while continuing to carry elements of home into an international career.

Her music has introduced South African influences to audiences around the world, while her public identity remains closely connected to Johannesburg and the culture that shaped her.

Now, a simple interview involving a box of snacks has provided another reminder of that connection.

The singer may spend her working life moving between countries and performing for international audiences, but when she returns home, she still knows exactly where she wants to eat, what foods remind her of childhood and which familiar tastes bring back memories.

For South African fans, that may be the most entertaining part of the entire challenge.

Tyla may be a global superstar, but Ghost Pops, biltong, Peppermint Crisp and a family braai still have a place in her story.