Grains of Paradise

Unassuming Grains of Paradise is a hard, nubbly little chestnut brown seed. It looks little bit like an underdeveloped peppercorn and doesn’t have a strong aroma, exuding a mild eucalyptus scent. Once you crack the seed open, its flavor explodes outward, and this unassuming seed becomes surprisingly complex. Floral and citrus flavors emerge with the first bite and rush up the nose, followed by a pungent juniper flavor and peppery burn that fades into a lingering piney bitterness. Grains of Paradise is closely related to ginger, galangal, turmeric and cardamom and contains .5% to 1% volatile oil.

This spice was written about in the first century CE by Roman historian Pliny the Elder (23-79CE), who called it “African pepper”. He experienced this north- and west- African spice thanks to the camel caravans that carried it along across the Sahara Desert. From there it was carried through trade routes to Sicily and into the boot of Italy. It was a popular spice in Europe during the Middle Ages (400-1400CE), called "grana paradisi", evoking the Medieval concept of an earthly paradise filled with wondrous things, like delicious spices filled with complex flavors. In Hebrew, this spice is called "gargeri gan ha-eden", which translates to "grains from the Garden of Eden".

Tips From Our Kitchen

There is probably no recipe in which Grains of Paradise can't be substituted for black pepper. Like peppercorns, they can be crushed in a mortar and pestle or ground in a pepper mill. Grains of Paradise is often used in larger quantities than pepper when cooking. Crack Grains of Paradise into a bouquet garni with bay leaves and a cinnamon stick and let simmer with rice. Add to lentils when making mujaddara, and use as a finishing flavor for traditional African peanut soup. Grains of Paradise adds a brisk snap to sweet vegetables, like kabocha squash or sweet potatoes, and is a lively finisher for eggplant. It has a strong flavor so add cautiously at first. Home brewers can add this to beer, wine, or vinegar. We also have ground Grains of Paradise available for sale.

Depending on the time of year our Grains of Paradise may come from Nigeria or the US.

This product is certified kosher.

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Ingredients: Grains of paradise

Country of Origin: Morocco