Mbongo (pods)

These mbongô 'pods' filled with pepperige seeds. Mbongo pepper is called alligator pepper The egg-shaped seed pod—it's not a bean, so not a pod either—contains seeds that are very similar to the better-known grain of paradise.

Typical of mbongo is the citrus aroma that immediately reminds you of lemongrass (sereh). Mbongô is one of the four local peppers in the famous Nigerian peppersoup nwo-nwo.

The mbongô grows on a two-meter-tall shrub in the ginger genus, which, like many ginger species, has rhizomes. Just above the ground, it produces trumpet-shaped, green flowers that appear to emerge directly from the ground. They quickly fall off to make way for large, bottle-shaped fruits.

The pods are filled with dozens of seeds in a jelly-like liquid. Once dried, the papery covering reveals an egg-shaped fruit consisting of seemingly scaled segments. With a little light pressure, these disintegrate into 2-3 mm large, shiny, pale brown seeds. Curiously, the intact seeds have a fragrant aroma. mbongô Not at all, or hardly at all, and neither are the seeds. The aroma is released as soon as you crush or grind the seeds.

Our mbongô comes from Cameroon, where the spice is used in many famous dishes, such as mbongô tchòbi, fish in black sauce. The spice is also used in other West African countries, such as Nigeria. peppersoup.

Related spices include the aforementioned grain of paradise (Aframomum melegueta), kororima (Aframomum kororima), and Madagascar cardamom (Aframomum angustifolium). The first is quite common, the second less so, and the third is very rare (not available).

Not just for eating!

A little bit bruised mbongô,  a hint of cardamom and a piece of citrus peel serve together as a welcome on various occasions and ceremonies in both Yoruba and Igbo cultures. You can the unopened pods but already have in house!

Smell and taste

The aroma is determined by a deliciously fresh lemongrass scent (sereh), which conceals that the seeds are quite pepperig can be. In terms of composition, the essential oil in mbongô is similar in many ways similar to cardamom, and those of ginger. Some of the essential oils that determine the taste and smell in mbongô are:

• citronellol, the scent of lemongrass
• afromodial, the unsaturated dialdehyde that causes the sharpness,
• 1,8-cineole, eucalyptol, the refreshing taste of mint
• β-pinene, woody pine scent, as in cumin, pine cone, juniper berry and hemp,
• α-terpineol, sweet floral scent like lilac.
• sabinene, responsible for the woody, camphor-like flavour of blackcurrant, among other things pepper and nutmeg
• β-myrcene, spicy aroma, with notes of fruits (mango, grape, peach) and mint,
• α-caryophyllene (humulene), hops, as in beer and cannabis
• d-limonene, citrus, orange aroma

Usage

Mbongô can literally be used in any dish, even in cooked rice or pasta, but preferably in a palette of West African spices and herbs such as calabash nutmeg, grains of paradise, selimpepper, cubebpepper, ginger, garlic nut, and African mint. Each one a flavor enhancer from the fascinating West African gastronomy.

Before opening the seed pod (which is not eaten), it is roasted until dark brown, allowing the seeds to release their rich aroma. After removing the papery skin of the seed pod, crush the mbongo, releasing the individual seeds. Remove the membranes, remnants of the dried jelly, by discarding the "dirty" seeds. rub between your hands and blow away the membranes.

Features:

• 100% fruits of the Aframomum danielli (unpeeled)
• origin: Cameroon

Assortment

• available in glass (45 grams) and stand-up pouch
• also available peeled
• larger quantities on request

Gift wrapping

• The jar is available in a tasteful gift packaging, consisting of a cube box filled with black tissue paper.
• For an overview of our gift packaging, please refer to the gift packaging section.

General advice

• times the pepper at the last minute to make the most of the scent

Save:

• save your mbongo pepper in closed packaging
• preferably store in a dark, dry and cool place
• best before September 2027 (09-2027)
• This expiration date is an indication

Would you like to know what this mbongo tastes like?

You can also try a test tube with peeled mbongo. The tube contains sufficient pepper to fathom the essence of taste.