Grains of Paradise

Grains of Paradise are the seeds from a plant that is a member of the ginger and cardamom family. Indigenous to the West Coast of Africa, the seeds have a wonderful pungent and peppery flavor with hints of their familial ginger and cardamom. They were once considered an expensive and elite delicacy for those who could afford them. Old World traders claimed they only grew in Eden. This unusual and hard to find seed should be used as a substitute for black pepper to awaken the spicy, ripe flavor. They are expensive to acquire outside of their indigenous region, but well worth the experience. Try them on an okra and tomato Southern style dish.