Hwentia (Grains of Selim, Djar, or Negro Pepper) - 1 oz

This is a popular spice used across Africa and several Asian countries in soups, stews, tea, coffee, etc.  Given the broad popular across many countries, it has many name variations. The official name is Grains of Selim or Xylopia aethiopica. It is also called Hwentia, Uda, Negro Pepper, Xylopia aethiopica, Eeru, African Pepper,  Kili Pepper, Chimba, Grains of Selim, African pepper, Guinea pepper, Ashanti pepper, Grains of paradise, Kani pepper, Senegal pepper, Ethiopian pepper, kimba , kili, Moor pepper or Negro pepper.

Preparation and usage

Grains of selim is usually dried first to make it easier to preserve and enhance the flavors.  The dried version is black in color. To use it, it is first cracked /crushed in a spice pot or used whole.  It is usually combined with other spices like ginger and cloves and used in soups, stews, tea, coffee, etc.

Recipes

• Spice for all types of soups, porridges and beverages such as bisap
• Spice rub for meat and fish
• Shito or Spicy Shrimp Pepper sauce
• Combine with ginger and cloves and use in Tea
• Hausa Koko spice (millet, sorghum, or maize porridge)
• Touba-style coffee (called café Touba in French)