Alligator pepper (also known as mbongo spice or hepper pepper) is a West African spice made from the seeds and seed pods of Aframomum danielli, A. citratum or A. exscapum. It is a close relative of grains of paradise, obtained from the closely related species, Aframomum melegueta or "grains of paradise".[1] Unlike grains of paradise, which are generally sold as only the seeds of the plant, alligator pepper is sold as the entire pod containing the seeds (in the same manner to another close relative, black cardamom).
Alligator pepper fruit and seeds
The plants which provide alligator pepper are herbaceous perennial flowering plants of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), native to swampy habitats along the West African coast. Once the pod is open and the seeds are revealed, the reason for this spice's common English name becomes apparent as the seeds have a papery skin enclosing them and the bumps of the seeds within this skin is reminiscent of an alligator's back.
As mbongo spice, the seeds of alligator pepper are often sold as the grains isolated from the pod and with the outer skin removed. Mbongo spice is most commonly either A. danielli or A. citratum, and has a more floral aroma than A. exscapum (which is the commonest source of the entire pod).
It is a common ingredient in West African cuisine, where it imparts both pungency and a spicy aroma to soups and stews.
Use in cuisine
Even in West Africa, alligator pepper is an expensive spice, so is used sparingly.[2] Often, a single whole pod is pounded in a pestle and mortar before half of it is added (along with black pepper) as a flavouring to West African soups or boiled rice. The spice can also be substituted in any recipe using grains of paradise or black cardamom to provide a hotter and more pungent flavour.
When babies are born in Yoruba culture, they are given a small taste of alligator pepper (atare) shortly after birth as part of the routine baby-welcoming process, and it is also used as an ingredient at traditional meet-and-greets.
In Igboland, alligator pepper, ósè ọ́jị́ with kola nuts are used in naming ceremonies, as presentation to visiting guests, and for other social events with the kola nut rite. The Igbo present and eat the alligator pepper together with kola nuts. In virtually every Igbo ceremony, alligator peppers and kola nuts are presented to guests at the top of the agenda and prior to any other food or entertainment. Prayers and libations are made together with kola nuts and alligator pepper.[3]
^"Alligator pepper is the bright, punchy West African spice that works on everything". TODAY.com. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
^"Enjoy medicinal value of alligator pepper (Aframomum melegueta)". Punch Newspapers. 2020-07-05. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
^A handbook of Nigerian culture. Dept. of Culture, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture. 1992. p. 30. ISBN9789783131613.
^"More plants with antiviral properties validated". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2020-08-13. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
External links
(accessed July 21, 2007)
Gernot Katzer's spice dictionary (accessed July 22, 2007)
April 29, 2023
alligator, pepper, also, known, mbongo, spice, hepper, pepper, west, african, spice, made, from, seeds, seed, pods, aframomum, danielli, citratum, exscapum, close, relative, grains, paradise, obtained, from, closely, related, species, aframomum, melegueta, gra. Alligator pepper also known as mbongo spice or hepper pepper is a West African spice made from the seeds and seed pods of Aframomum danielli A citratum or A exscapum It is a close relative of grains of paradise obtained from the closely related species Aframomum melegueta or grains of paradise 1 Unlike grains of paradise which are generally sold as only the seeds of the plant alligator pepper is sold as the entire pod containing the seeds in the same manner to another close relative black cardamom Alligator pepper fruit and seeds The plants which provide alligator pepper are herbaceous perennial flowering plants of the ginger family Zingiberaceae native to swampy habitats along the West African coast Once the pod is open and the seeds are revealed the reason for this spice s common English name becomes apparent as the seeds have a papery skin enclosing them and the bumps of the seeds within this skin is reminiscent of an alligator s back As mbongo spice the seeds of alligator pepper are often sold as the grains isolated from the pod and with the outer skin removed Mbongo spice is most commonly either A danielli or A citratum and has a more floral aroma than A exscapum which is the commonest source of the entire pod It is a common ingredient in West African cuisine where it imparts both pungency and a spicy aroma to soups and stews Use in cuisine EditEven in West Africa alligator pepper is an expensive spice so is used sparingly 2 Often a single whole pod is pounded in a pestle and mortar before half of it is added along with black pepper as a flavouring to West African soups or boiled rice The spice can also be substituted in any recipe using grains of paradise or black cardamom to provide a hotter and more pungent flavour When babies are born in Yoruba culture they are given a small taste of alligator pepper atare shortly after birth as part of the routine baby welcoming process and it is also used as an ingredient at traditional meet and greets In Igboland alligator pepper ose ọ jị with kola nuts are used in naming ceremonies as presentation to visiting guests and for other social events with the kola nut rite The Igbo present and eat the alligator pepper together with kola nuts In virtually every Igbo ceremony alligator peppers and kola nuts are presented to guests at the top of the agenda and prior to any other food or entertainment Prayers and libations are made together with kola nuts and alligator pepper 3 During the Covid 19 pandemic it was used in medicine 4 References Edit Alligator pepper is the bright punchy West African spice that works on everything TODAY com Retrieved 2021 08 10 Enjoy medicinal value of alligator pepper Aframomum melegueta Punch Newspapers 2020 07 05 Retrieved 2021 08 10 A handbook of Nigerian culture Dept of Culture Federal Ministry of Information and Culture 1992 p 30 ISBN 9789783131613 More plants with antiviral properties validated The Guardian Nigeria News Nigeria and World News 2020 08 13 Retrieved 2021 08 10 External links EditCeltnet Spice Guide accessed July 21 2007 Gernot Katzer s spice dictionary accessed July 22 2007 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Alligator pepper amp oldid 1066695912, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
