Grains of Paradise

Aframomum melegueta is a species in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. This spice, commonly known as ossame, grains of paradise, Melegueta pepper, alligator pepper, Guinea grains, fom wisa, or Guinea pepper, is obtained from the ground seeds; it imparts a pungent, peppery flavour with hints of citrus.

Grains of paradise are certainly a spice whose name proceeds them. In my continued efforts to find an alternative to black pepper on the dinner table, this may be the strongest candidate yet.

Grains of Paradise come from a leafy plant West Africa. This name was given to them by spice traders in the middle ages who were trying to inflate the price. They claimed that these special peppers...

If you do one thing this summer, pick up a package of grains of paradise

The West African spice known as grains of paradise can be used to provide dishes with a pepper-like spark along with complex notes of cardamom and ginger.

Grains of Paradise is a full flavored and aromatic blend - best used in your pepper mill on meats and starches. Shop Grains of Paradise at Savory Spice.

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The mythical flavor of grains of paradise is like a cross between pepper and cardamom, though it is botanically related to neither.

Plenty of ego and an air of mystery. Like Mr. Gatsby, there’s a lot of show masking rather humble beginnings.

A typical Moroccan tagine (stew) of lamb with dried fruit, in this case apricots, and spicy grains of paradise.

Grains of Paradise are the seeds of an herbaceous perennial plant native to the swamplands of the West African coast. The plant bears pods 5 to 7 cm long containing abundant small, reddish-brown seeds. Once a prized commodity, Grains of Paradise received their name during the Middle Ages. The coast of West Africa became known as the Grain Coast because Grains of Paradise were traded there. Parts Used Ground seeds. Typical Preparations Grains of Paradise are commonly used in West and North African cooking. Traditionally, they have been imported through the Sahara desert via caravan, and from there to Sicily and Italy. Today, the spice is not widely known outside of West and North Africa, except as a flavor additive in certain beers and gins. In the United States, Grains of Paradise have undergone a small but enthusiastic revival due to their use by some celebrated chefs. Currently, they are popularly used by many of our nation's leading breweries. Summary Grains of Paradise are also used by people on certain diets, such as a raw food diet, because they are less irritating to digestion than black pepper.

Spices - Grains of Paradise are the small, red-brown seeds of a cardamom-like plant. More irregularly shaped than true peppercorns, Grains of Paradise are also

Grains of Paradise, Aframomum melegueta, is a member of the Zingiberaceae family (also known as the ginger family) and is closely related to ginger, galangal, turmeric and cardamom.

Contrary to the name, grains of paradise are not a grain and instead are a spice. The spice is derived from an herbaceous plan native to West Africa. The plant produces trumpet-shaped flowers and the seeds found inside become the spice.

Amanda Hesser article on cooking with grains of paradise, peppery and pleasantly fragrant spice; traces history of West African spice; recipes; photos (M)

Grains of paradise is an herb in the ginger family that is considered to be very good for improving digestive as well as intestinal health.

Grains of Paradise also known as Melegueta pepper, is an exotic unfamiliar spice to most people. This particular spice is really small, red-brown seeds of a plant similar to cardamom. The seeds have a peppery flavor with overtones of ginger and cardamom.