Seed spice
Alligator Pepper
Aromatic • Peppery · Medium heat
A pungent, aromatic seed spice used in cooking and in cultural contexts across parts of Nigeria.
Explore Alligator PepperThe world's guide to Nigerian flavour
Discover the flavours of Nigeria.
Explore the spices, herbs, peppers and traditional ingredients behind Nigerian cooking.
Ingredients pictured for atmosphere. Individual reference pages identify each record.The Nigerian Spice Index
Featured ingredients
Fresh Pepper
Ata Rodo
Hot pepper
Fruity • Hot · Very hot heat
A fresh hot pepper central to many Nigerian stews, sauces and soups.
Also known as: Ata rodo
Explore Ata Rodo
Seasoning Blend
Seasoning blendBanga Spice
Aromatic • Savoury · Mild heat
A family of aromatic spice blends associated with palm-fruit soups and stews.
Explore Banga Spice
Seed spice
Ehuru
African nutmeg
Aromatic • Warming
A fragrant seed spice commonly described as African nutmeg and used in soups and spice blends.
Also known as: Ehuru
Explore Ehuru
Fermented seasoning
Iru
Fermented locust beans
Fermented • Savoury
Fermented locust beans that contribute a powerful savoury aroma and depth to many dishes.
Also known as: Iru
Explore Iru
Aromatic Herb
Scent Leaf
Aromatic • Herbal · Mild heat
A highly aromatic leaf used fresh in soups, sauces and pepper dishes.
Also known as: Nchuanwu
Explore Scent LeafBegin with the guide
Nigerian spices, explained.
Understand peppers, aromatic seeds, leaves, fermented seasonings and blends, then follow each ingredient into the structured Index.
Read the complete Nigerian spices guideIngredient research
Health research, without the hype.
A supporting evidence layer that keeps traditional use, food composition, laboratory findings and human studies distinct.
Explore ingredient research5 field notesBlood sugar & metabolic research↗5 field notesInflammation & oxidative-stress research↗3 field notesNutrition & food composition↗2 field notesHeart & circulation research↗
Important: this is general food information, not medical advice. Never replace prescribed treatment with a spice, herb or supplement.
Beyond a list of names
Flavour carries memory.
Ingredients arrive with language, geography, technique and ceremony. This project treats those contexts as part of the record, not decoration around it.
Our catalogue makes uncertainty visible, keeps source notes close to claims, and leaves space for cooks, growers and researchers to deepen each entry.
How this project works