Grains of Paradise - 1KG

Grains of Paradise - 1KG

The West African coast became so infamous for its abundance of spices that it quickly became known as The Pepper Coast (or Grain Coast). Grains of paradise were a particular cash crop for the region.
It's worth bolstered by the claims of medieval spice traders who claimed that the spice could only grow in Eden (hence the name). Grains of paradise (Aframomum melegueta ) is a member of the ginger family and is a naturally herbaceous, perennial plant that grows comfortably in swampy habitats. The plant has trumpet-shaped, purple flowers that develop into 5 to 7 cm long pods, which contain numerous small, red-brown seeds with a peppery taste.

Grains of Paradise has played a role in the history of alcohol production, especially after its popularity waned and it became used to flavour beer. England imported between 15,000 and 19,000 lbs a year in 1855, though this ground almost stopped after a parliamentary act forbade its use in malt liquor, aqua vita and cocktails.

The seeds have a woody, almost piney aroma and a warm, peppery taste. Though the grains are re-emerging as an increasingly popular pepper alternative, they don't have the harshness. You could happily bite down on a seed or two without sneezing yourself into the next room (although your teeth won't thank you as the grains tend to be rock hard), though the fiery taste is undoubtedly present and carries through when distilled.

Other Names: Melegueta Pepper, Alligator Pepper, Guinea Grains, Fam Wusa, Ataku, Guinea Pepper, Graines de Paradis, Malaguette, Poivre de Guinée, Paradieskörner, Guineapfeffer, Grani de Meleguetta, Grani Paradisi, Kinia-Saenggang, Grãos-do-Paraíso, Sha Ren and Pimienta de Malagueta.

Other uses
Try adding our Grains of Paradise to dishes that call for pepper when digestion may be upset by black pepper. Crush and sprinkle onto chicken, fish and veg prior to cooking or add to biscuit and cake recipes where you would use black pepper. Use to season a myriad of dishes from gingerbread and apple pie to peanut soup and sirloin steak!