Grains of paradise
Small West African seeds with a peppery, citrus and cardamom flavour once a European pepper substitute.
Also: melegueta pepper, Guinea pepper, alligator pepper, atare
Grains of paradise are the seeds of Aframomum melegueta, a ginger-family plant of West Africa's coast, once called the Grain Coast for this crop. The seeds taste hot, peppery, floral and faintly of citrus and cardamom. Medieval Europeans used them to flavour wine, beer and the spiced drink hippocras, and the trade through Saharan caravans linked Africa and the Mediterranean. Today they feature in North African blends such as ras el hanout, in West African cooking and in some craft beers and gins. Nigerians use alligator pepper in naming and wedding ceremonies. Crush the seeds just before using.