Cardamon, Grains-of-Paradise (Amomum villosum)

Amomum villosum

Unit size: 1 ounce

Origin: West Africa

Form: Whole seeds

Other names: Grains of Paradise, Melegueta pepper, alligator pepper, Guinea grains, Guinea pepper

Esoteric Uses: Court cases, politics, career, male love, male aphrodisiac, attracts women to older established dignified males

Esoteric Associations: Sun, Fire

Incense Aroma: Will pop and move when roasted, deep nutty, musky aroma, like an exotic pepper, or like a clean mint-bdellium when burned

Grains of Paradise is a rare West African spice which has pungent, peppery flavor. Unlike other members of the Cardamom family, this spice is most often used in seed rather than whole pod form. Grains of Paradise ha a fiery and rather peppery taste and a great ‘cardamom-like’ aroma.

In West African folk medicine, grains of paradise are valued for their warming and digestive properties, and among the Efik people in Nigeria have been used in divination for determining guilt. It has also been introduced to the Caribbean Islands, where it is used as medicine and in Voodoo rites.

This is herb grade Grains of Paradise.