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    Grains of Paradise (Aframomum melegueta [Roskoe] K. Schum.)

    Synonyms

    botAmomum melegueta, Amomum grana paradisi
    pharmGrana paradisi
    Amharicኮረሪማ
    Kewrerima, Korarima
    Arabicجوزة السودان
    جَوْزَة السُّودَان
    Jouz as-Sudan, Jouz al-Sudan, Gawz al-Sudan, Jawz as-Sirk, Tin al-Fil
    Chinese
    (Mandarin)    		天國穀粒 [tiān guó gǔ lì]
    Tian guo gu li
    CzechAframon rajské zrno, Pepř malaguetský, Guinejská zrna
    DagbanliUotipisi
    DutchParadijskorrels
    EnglishGuinea grains, Melegueta pepper, Alligator pepper
    EstonianMelegeti aframon
    EweAwusa, Awisa, Dzekuli, Megbedogboe, Dzekuli, Atakui
    FanteSensam, Wisa, Wusa
    FrenchGraines de paradis, Malaguette, Poivre de Guinée, Maniguette
    Ga-DangmeAnai wie, Anairo wie, Wie
    GermanParadieskörner, Guineapfeffer, Meleguetapfeffer, Malagettapfeffer
    GreekΠιπέρι μελεγκέτα
    Piperi melenketa
    HausaChitta
    HungarianParadicsommag
    ItalianGrani de Meleguetta, Grani paradisi, Mani guetta
    Japaneseマニゲット
    Manigetto
    Korean기니아생강, 멜리구에타 후추
    Kinia-saenggang, Melligueta huchu
    LithuanianMalageta, Rojinis imbierpipiri
    NzemaEzakpa, Eza
    PolishPieprz malagetta
    PortugueseSementes-do-paraíso, Grãos-do-paraíso, Pimenta Guiné
    RomanianGrăunțele paradisuluiGrăunţele paradisului, Piper de Guineea
    RussianРайские зёрна, Малагвет, Райские зерна, Малагвет
    Rajskie zyorna, Rajskie zerna, Malagvet
    SlovakAframon Rajské zrno, Guinejský kardamon
    SlovenianMalguetta poper, Rajsko zrnje
    SpanishMalagueta
    TwiWisa, Fam wisa, Wisa pa Opokuo
    Turkishİdrifil, Itrıfil, Itrifil-i sagir†

    Note

    Aframomum melegueta: Grains of Paradise
    Grains of Paradise
    Cookbooks from Cameroon (West Africa) mention the atzoh plant, whose seeds can be used as a spice (mbongo). This plant is Aframomum citratum, a close relative of grains of paradise.

    Used plant part

    Seed. The seeds have approximately the size and the shape of cardamom seeds (3 mm), but are reddish-brown in colour. In powdered form, they become pale gray. A good photo of the seeds is shown by Norman.

    Plant family

    Zingiberaceae (ginger family).
    Aframomum melegueta: Grain of Paradise Pod
    The grains of paradise grow in large pods

    Sensory quality

    Spicy, hot and warm, a little bitter.

    Main constituents

    The essential oil from grains of paradise is dominated by the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons humulene, α- and β-caryophyllene (together 83%) and their oxides (together 9%). (Flavour and Fragrance Journal, 14, 109, 1999)

    In the acetone extract of grains or paradise from Ghana, the following hydroxyarylalkanones were found: 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-decan-3-one (called (6)-paradole), 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-hendecan-3-one (called (7)-paradole) and 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-deca-4-ene-3-one (called (6)-shoagole) in approximately equal parts. (Phytochemistry, 14, 853, 1975).
    Aframomum melegueta: Caribbean grain of paradise capsule
    Grain of paradise capsule from the Caribbean

    Other work reports (6)-paradole, (6)-shoagole and (6)-gingerole (5-hydroxy-(6)-paradole) are reported as the main hydroxyarylalkanones. On storage, gingerols can interconvert to shoagols, which means a loss of pungency (see also ginger). (Phytochemistry, 40, 1097, 1995)

    Origin

    Grains of paradise are native to Africa's West coast, namely the countries Ghana, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Togo and Nigeria. Most imports stem from Ghana. In the countries of origin, the seeds are used not only to flavour food, but they are also chewed on cold days to warm the body.

    Etymology

    In the Middle Ages, the spice was termed grana paradisi “grains of paradise” because of its high value. This name also mirrors the medieval conception of an “earthly paradise” full of the scent of spices. Many contemporary languages have loan translations of that name, e.g., German Paradieskörner, Portuguese grãos-do-paraíso, Romanian grăunțele paradisului and Hungarian paradicsommag “seeds of paradise”.

    Most languages have names like “pepper of Guinea” or “pepper of Meleguata” referring to the biting taste and the region of origin in West Africa. Examples are French poivre de Guinée, Czech pepř malaguetský and Greek piperi melenketa [πιπέρι μελεγκέτα] “melegueta pepper” or Italian grani de Meleguetta “melegueta grains”. In some languages, the names compare grains of paradise not to pepper but to the botanically related ginger: Lithuanian imbierpipiri “ginger pepper” and Korean kinia senggang [기니아생강] “Ginger of Guinea”.

    About the element amomum in the genus name see cardamom.

    Selected Links

    The Epicentre: Melegueta Pepper Francesco Sirene: Spices & Herbs (Catalogue) The Spice House: Grains of Paradise World Merchants: Grains of Paradise Sorting Aframomum names (www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au) American Spice Company: Grains of Paradise Herbie's Spices: Grains of Paradise Olivers and Co: Grains of Paradise Gewürzkontor Condimento: Paradieskörner Aromates, épices et condiments du monde entier Gewürzamt: Paradieskörner The History of Grains of Paradise

    Aframomum melegueta: Grain of paradise flower
    Grain of paradise plant with flower

    www.ruehlemanns.de

    The grains of paradise have been an important spice in 15.th century Europe, when spices were high in demand, but the sea route to India had not yet been discovered. In these times, grains of paradise were a common substitute for black pepper. The West African coast got its name “pepper coast” because the grains of paradise were traded there. Later, in the Renaissance, when pepper hat outrun them as the favourite kitchen spice, grains of paradise were common as beer flavouring (see gale).

    Since then, the importance of this spice has vanished to quite zero in our days; outside its production area (Central Africa), it is only known in Northern Africa and may appear in Moroccan spice mixtures (see cubeb pepper). See also negro pepper for a comparison of several pungent spices.
    Aframomum melegueta: Grain of paradise flower
    Grain of paradise flower

    perso.wanadoo.fr

    Apart from Morocco, grains of paradise are also popular in neighbouring Tunisia. Tunisian stews are frequently flavoured with an aromatic mixture called gâlat dagga, which contains grains of paradise besides black pepper and several sweet spices: cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. Combining peppery pungency and rich aroma, this mixture is a good example of Arab cooking tradition.

    In the West, grains of paradise are now hard to obtain, but still valuable for people following old recipes (e.g., for sausages or spiced wine). But this pungent grain is a worthy addition to many other everyday dishes. Their hotness is not as strong as in pepper, but more subtle and goes well with vegetables (potatoes, aubergines, pumpkin). To obtain best results, grains of paradise must be ground before use and should be added shortly before serving. Despite their rather pungent taste when tried alone, they must be used liberally to obtain satisfactory results.

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    Modification date: 25 Apr 1998