Do you know that alligator pepper possesses strong, peppery seeds and that the culinary possibilities with these seeds are limitless?
Alligator pepper is one of such medicinal plant that has become of great importance in our lives here in Africa. The Alligator pepper, which is botanically known as Aframomum melegueta is a popular herbaceous perennial plant that is originally from West Africa in countries like Nigeria, Cameroon, Liberia, Cote D’ivoire, Sierra Leone, Togo, Gambia and Ghana.
It belongs to the Zingiberaceae or ginger family and thrives mainly in swampy habitats, especially on the coasts of West Africa
This peppery plant, which is native to West Africa (which is frequently referred to as the Pepper Coast) and a member of the ginger family, can grow up to five feet tall. It possesses slim, lance-like leaves and purple trumpet-shaped flowers.
As the flower develops, it begins to mature into 5-to-7-centimeter-long, greyish blue, wrinkled, alligator-skin-like dried pods containing very small seeds.
During the harvesting process here in Africa, older men and smaller children will go out to collect the pods from the plant, while women are obligated to remove the seeds from the pulp by splitting them open and hitting them out with their hands or the side of a knife.
The alligator pepper (Aframomum melegueta), acquires its name from the reptilian-like bark on the seeds’ pod.
Its seeds are also known as grains of paradise since the medieval era. A spice dealers claimed that these peppery seeds grew only in Eden and had to be collected when they flowed down the river, out of Eden. ( everyone loves a good mythical story.) These seeds are also known as melegueta pepper, Guinea grains, ossame, or fom wisa in Africa
The seeds are then spread out on leaves to sundry. When completely dried, they are firmly wrapped inside the leaves and sold or consumed.
The entire plant is utilized for medicinal [1] purposes in addition to making peppercorns: The rhizomes (called rootstalk) are traditionally used as antibacterial and antifungal medicines; the long leaves are used to cure measles and gastrointestinal ailments, and the seeds have anti-inflammatory properties.
Alligator pepper is a great source of various minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and zinc. The amino acids, which are used to make proteins, found in alligator pepper include l-Threonine; humans don’t naturally produce this amino acid so we need to get it from our diet.
Alligator pepper contains many antioxidants, which come in the form of flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids, providing benefits that include scavenging free radicals in the body that can cause inflammation.
How to use an alligator pepper?
Once crushed, the seeds release a combination of flavor notes — from the initial pungent, peppery flavor to a floral aroma with hints of jasmine, cardamom, and clove. It is a little nutty, earthy, citrusy and can even have menthol and eucalyptus notes.
When you bite into one, you’ll experience the peppery heat gradually intensifying and developing in your mouth. They work well as a spice rub for fish, particularly if you toast them in a dry frying pan first.
Alligator pepper can be used for salad dressings and pesto, for example, you might enjoy the powerful eucalyptus and citrus flavors. It is fantastic in compound butter, spiced baked items, and spiced fruit syrups.
Benefits of Alligator Pepper
1. For Consumptions
Alligator pepper is a popular spice that is normally snacked on especially by African elders and sometimes youths. In traditional meetings and events such as baby naming ceremonies, traditional marriages, burial ceremonies, town meetings, etc, the alligator pepper is usually served together with kola nuts and peanut butter (ósè ọ́jị́) as part of the customary rite
2. A great aphrodisiac Use
According to research, alligator pepper is a sexual stimulant in composition and can thus be used to stimulate sexual impulses.
3. Antibacterial Properties
The seed extract has antimicrobial properties due to its constituents of phenolic compounds that are normally used as disinfectants.
Some studies reveal that Aframomum melegueta, Alligator pepper, the extract is broad spectrum and as such has inhibitory effect on the growth of bacteria such as Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumonia, etc.
4. Healing Properties
The seeds can be crushed and used for preparing concoctions for treating and healing wounds. Alligator pepper contains a high amount of tannin that is distinguished by its stringent property and as such it is very effective for healing wounds, treating burns, and soothing inflamed mucous membrane.
5. Great Anti-oxidizing Properties
Alligator pepper seeds are an excellent source of phytonutrients such as terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, saponin, and phenolic compounds.
They scavenge for free radicals and offer protection against viruses, allergens, microbes, platelet aggregation, tumors, ulcers, and hepatotoxins (chemical liver damage) in the body. This suggests why it is commonly used in folk medicine for preventing and tackling intestinal problems.
6. For severe Skin illness
Alligator pepper can be used for preparing an herbal remedy for treating infectious skin diseases such as measles, chickenpox, and smallpox.
Disclaimer: The above information published in this article is solely for informational and educational purposes only. The article written/published does not intend to diagnose, treat or cure any disease and should not be treated as medical advice. Seek the direction of your doctor before any consumption!
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