NIGERIAN UZIZA SEEDS - 70g
£3.99 GBP
Sale price
£3.99 GBP
Regular price
£3.99 GBP
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NIGERIAN UZIZA SEEDS - 70g
£3.99 GBP
Sale price
£3.99 GBP
Regular price
£3.99 GBP
Uziza seeds are the dried, pungent fruits of the Piper guineense plant, a West African climbing shrub belonging to the Piperaceae family. Known commonly as Ashanti pepper, Benin pepper, or false cubeb, this plant is native to tropical regions of Western and Central Africa.
In Nigerian cuisine—particularly among the Igbo people (who call it Uziza) and Yoruba people (who call it Iyere)—these seeds are used as a popular, aromatic spice.
Key Characteristics and Culinary Use:
- Flavour & Aroma: Uziza seeds have a strong, peppery heat with a slightly bitter, earthy taste.
- Appearance: The fruits grow in clusters, which are red-brown when mature and turn dark brown or black when dried.
- Usage: The seeds are used whole or ground to enhance the flavour of soups, stews, and sauces, such as native soups, egusi soup, and pepper soup.
- Distinctive Feature: They possess a more complex, "piney" scent and a more intense heat compared to common black pepper.
Differences Between Uziza Seed and Leaf
Both the seeds and the leaves come from the same plant (Piper guineense), but they are used differently.
Both the seeds and the leaves come from the same plant (Piper guineense), but they are used differently.
- Seeds: Used mostly in dry, ground form for intense peppery flavour in soups.
- Leaves: Have a milder, aromatic, peppery taste and are used as a leafy vegetable in dishes like Afang soup or for scenting stew.