Grains of paradise

Grains of paradise(Aframomum melegueta) is a species in the ginger family,Zingiberaceae, and closely related tocardamom. Its seeds are used as aspice(ground or whole); it imparts apungent,black-pepper-like flavor with hints of citrus.  It is also known asmelegueta pepper,Guinea grains,ossame, orfom wisa, and is sometimes confused withalligator pepper.  The termsAfrican pepperandGuinea pepperhave also been used, but are ambiguous as they can apply to other spices such asgrains of Selim(Xylopia aethiopica).
It is native toWest Africa, which is sometimes named thePepper Coast(or Grain Coast) because of this commodity. It is also an importantcash cropin theBasketo districtof southernEthiopia.
Aframomum meleguetais anherbaceousperennial plantnative toswampyhabitats along the West African coast. Its trumpet-shaped, purpleflowersdevelop intopods5–7 cm (2–3 in) long, containing numerous small, reddish-brownseeds.
The pungent, peppery taste of the seeds is caused byaromaticketones, such as(6)-paradol(systematic name: 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-decan-3-one).Essential oils, which are the dominating flavor components in the closely relatedcardamom,occur only in traces.
The stem at times can be short, and usually shows signs of scars and dropped leaves. The leaves are narrow and similar to those of bamboo, with a well-structured vascular system. The flowers of the herbaceous plant are aromatic, with an orange-colored lip and rich pinkish-orange upper part. The fruits contain numerous, small, golden red-brown seeds.
Melegueta is a major component in the diet ofWestern Lowland gorilla—around 80 to 90 percent.The gorillas eat the entire fruit and act as a source of seed dispersal for melegueta. In addition to food, the plant is also the most common material used to make nests and beds.
Melegueta pepper is commonly used in the cuisines ofWestandNorth Africa, from where it has been traditionally transported bycamel caravanroutes through theSaharadesert and distributed to Sicily and the rest of Italy. Mentioned byPlinyas "African pepper" but subsequently forgotten in Europe, they were renamed "grains of paradise" and became a popular substitute forblack pepperin Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries.TheMénagier de Parisrecommends it for improving wine that "smells stale". Through the Middle Ages and into the early modern period, the theory of thefour humorsgoverned theories about nourishment on the part of doctors, herbalists, and druggists. In this context, John Russell characterized grains of paradise inThe Boke of Nurtureas "hot and moist".
In 1469, KingAfonso V of Portugalgranted the monopoly of trade in theGulf of GuineatoLisbonmerchantFernão Gomes.This included the exclusivity in trade ofAframomum melegueta, then called malagueta pepper. The grant came at the cost of 100,000realannually and agreement to explore 160 kilometres (100 mi) of the coast of Africa per year for five years; this gives some indication of the European value of the spice.AfterChristopher Columbusreached the New World in 1492 and brought the first samples of the chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens) back with him to Europe, the namemalagueta, and Spanish and Portuguese spelling, was then applied to the new chili "pepper" because itspiquancywas reminiscent of grains of paradise.Malagueta, thanks to its low price, remained popular in Europe even after the Portuguese opened the direct maritime route to theSpice Islandsaround 1500.This namesake, themalagueta chili, remains popular inBrazil, theCaribbean, Portugal, andMozambique.
The importance of theA. meleguetaspice is shown by the designation of the area from theSt. John River(near present-dayBuchanan) toHarperin Liberia as the Grain Coast or Pepper Coast in honor of the availability of grains of paradise.Later, the craze for the spice waned, and its uses were reduced to a flavoring for sausages and beer. In the 18th century, its importation to Great Britain collapsed after an act of Parliamentduring the reign ofGeorge IIIforbade its use inalcoholic beverages.In 1855, England imported about 6,800 to 8,600 kilograms (15,000 to 19,000 lb) per year legally (dutypaid).By 1880, the 9th edition of theEncyclopædia Britannicareported: "Grains of paradise are to some extent used inveterinary practice, but for the most part illegally to give a fictitious strength tomalt liquors,gin, andcordials".
The presence of the seeds in the diets oflowland gorillasin the wild seems to have some sort of beneficial effect on theircardiovascular health. They also eat the leaves, and use them for bedding material. The absence of the seeds in the diets of captive lowland gorillas may contribute to their occasionally poor cardiovascular health in zoos.
Today the condiment is sometimes used in gourmet cuisine as a replacement for pepper, and to give unique flavor in somecraft beers,gins, and Norwegianakvavit. Grains of paradise are starting to enjoy a slight resurgence in popularity in North America due to their use by some well-known chefs.Alton Brownis a fan of the condiment, and he uses it inokrastew and his apple-pie recipe on an episode of the TV cooking showGood Eats.Grains of paradise are also used by people on certain diets, such as araw food diet, because they are considered less irritating to digestion than black pepper.
In West Africanfolk medicine, grains of paradise are valued for their warming and digestive properties, and among theEfik peoplein Nigeria have been used for divination and ordeals determining guilt.A. meleguetahas been introduced to theCaribbeanand Latin America, where it is used inVoodooreligious rites.It is also found widely amongProtestant Christianpractitioners ofAfrican-Americanhoodoo and rootwork, where the seeds are employed in luck-bringing and may be held in the mouth or chewed to prove sincerity.