Pepper Soup Spice-ULIMA SEEDS/ALLIGATOR PEPPER

 

It is a member of the ginger family, it's scientific name is "Afromomium meleguata". It is also sometimes known as grains of paradise, hepper pepper or mbongo spice.
It is a North African spice and is used in Africa not only in food preparation but also in cultural practices, such as medicine and as an accompaniment to kola nut.

Despite what a lot of people believe, grains of paradise are actually a little different from Alligator Pepper. The two spices are so closely related that they are often called the same name. The difference between the two is that one is the seeds only (grains of paradise) while alligator pepper is sold as an entire pod including the seeds. Apart from that, the taste and characteristics are pretty much the same.

As the name suggests, the fruit and the seeds have a texture and appearance like that of an alligators back. It has a hot spicy taste and aroma which is popularly used in West African soups and stews. A very expensive spice and should be used sparingly because of its strong flavour, it is a popular ingredient in the famous pepper pot soup which is a specialty and great delight in West Africa. Your grains of paradise can also be used to flavour vegetables and is a great accompaniment to pumpkins, okras and potatoes. Ultimately, in favor of saving time, it is recommend to just purchase the version with only the seeds, as if you purchase the whole pepper, you have to remove the shell to get to the seeds which are deeply embedded in the shell as seen in the photo above. Unlike Uda, Alligator Pepper seeds are more aromatic than the shell.
Aside from being an important ingredient in Pepper Soup, it is also important in the Yoruba culture and is used in a host of traditional activities, some of which include being used in naming ceremonies during prayers and sometimes as a dowry gift when taking a bride, amongst others.

• The alligator pepper is served with kola nut to guest which can be chewed together. Because of the hot spicy taste, it enhances or reduces the bitter taste from the kola nut. as a cure to malaria fever (the leaves)
• used to treat wounds and prevent infection (the seeds)
• as a protection against accidents when swallowed before embarking on travelling (the seeds)
• to improve the state of drunkenness (the seeds)
• Has great digestive properties (the seeds).