Grains of paradise

Aframomum melegueta

spice

Small red-brown seeds with a peppery, warm, lemony taste, in West African stews and, in Europe, in ras el hanout, beers and gins.

Origin

West coast of Africa (from Liberia to Nigeria)

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

The seeds are ground in a mill or pounded just before use, like pepper, a pinch at the end of cooking or over a dish.

Did you know?

In the Middle Ages, it came from present-day Liberia, then called the Grain Coast.