Mbongo (pods)

These mbongô 'pods' filled with peppery seeds come from West Africa. Mbongo pepper is also known as alligator pepper. mentioned. The egg-shaped seed capsule – it is not a bean, so not a pod either – contains seeds that bear a strong resemblance to the more well-known grains of paradise.

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

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

The seed pods are filled with dozens of seeds in a jelly-like fluid. Once dried, an egg-shaped fruit consisting of seemingly scaly segments is hidden behind the papery casing. With some light pressure, these break apart into 2-3 mm large, shiny, pale brown seeds. Curiously enough, the intact one has a scent. mbongô not at all or hardly, and not the seeds either. The scent is released as soon as you crush or grind the seeds.

Our mbongô originates 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 in Nigeria in pepperssquirt.

Related spices are the already mentioned grains of paradise (Aframomum melegueta), kororima (Aframomum kororima), and Madagascar cardamom (Aframomum angustifolium). The first is fairly common, the second not so much, and the third is very rare (unavailable).

Not just for eating!

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

Scent and taste

The aroma is determined by a deliciously fresh lemongrass scent, which conceals the fact that the seeds can be quite peppery. In terms of composition, the essential oil in mbongô resembles in in many respects similar to that of cardamom, and those of ginger. Some of the essential oils determining the taste and smell in mbongô are:

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

Usage

You can literally use Mbongô in any dish, even in boiled rice or pasta, but preferably in a palette of West African spices and herbs such as calabash nutmeg, grains of paradise, selim pepper, cubeb pepper, ginger, garlic nut, and African mint. Each one a flavouring from fascinating West African gastronomy.

Before opening the seed pod (this is not eaten), it is roasted until dark brown, allowing the seeds to release their rich aroma. After removing the 'papery' shell from the seed pod, crush the mbongo to release the individual seeds. Remove the husks, remnants of the dried jelly, from the 'dirty' seeds. to 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 packaging

• The jar is available in 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

• Grind the pepper at the last moment to maximize the aroma.

Save:

• store your Mbongo pepper in a closed package
• preferably store in a dark, dry and cool place
• best before July 2028 (07-2028)
• This expiration date is an indication.

Would you like to know how this mbongo tastes?

Could you also try a test tube with peeled mbongo? The tube contains enough pepper to grasp the essence of the flavor.

Batch number KE550364

The batch number helps us trace which supply an item originated from. It is listed on the packing slip and the invoice.