Monkey sugarcane (costus)

Costus afer

vegetable

A juicy stem, peeled and chewed to quench thirst; leaves and stems also go into dishes.

Origin

West Africa

Where to find it

In rainforests and along rivers, from Sierra Leone to Cameroon; it is chewed on the way, during walks in the forest.

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

A length of stem is peeled and its juicy pith chewed, then the fibres spat out; the leaves and young stems are cooked for a few minutes.

Molecules

In small amounts, not counted Insoluble fibers

Did you know?

Its leaves spiral along the stem, hence its English name spiral ginger.