ON THIS PLANT
Aframomum melegueta is a species in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae, and closely related to cardamom. Its seeds are used as a spice (ground or whole); it imparts a pungent, black-pepper-like flavor with hints of citrus. It is commonly known as grains of paradise, melegueta pepper, Guinea grains, ossame, or fom wisa, and is confused with alligator pepper. The term Guinea pepper has also been used, but is most often applied to Xylopia aethiopica (grains of Selim). It is native to West Africa, which is sometimes named the Pepper Coast (or Grain Coast) because of this commodity. It is also an important cash crop in the Basketo district of southern Ethiopia.
CHARACTERISTICS
Botanical profile.
- Genus
- Aframomum
- Family
- Zingiberaceae
ALSO KNOWN AS
Other names.
en Guinea-grains en Guinea-pepper en Melegueta Pepper en Alligator-pepper en Grains of paradise en Grains-of-paradise
PLATES
