The world’s guide to Nigerian flavour
NigerianSpices.com is a structured culinary reference for people who want to identify an ingredient, understand its names and use it more confidently. The central resource is The Nigerian Spice Index.
How ingredients are selected
Priority goes to spices, leaves, peppers, fermented seasonings and blends that are important to Nigerian cooking or frequently cause identification questions. Inclusion does not imply that an ingredient is exclusive to Nigeria.
How names are verified
Local names are stored as separate records with language, spelling, region, editorial note and review status. A Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa row is displayed only when it has been checked. Empty rows are omitted. Market names and botanical names are not treated as interchangeable.
What the statuses mean
Source reviewed means the published claims have been checked against cited material and the entry records a reviewer and date. Editorially reviewed means the entry has passed an editorial source pass, while further specialist review may still improve it. Research in progress keeps useful but provisional material visible without pretending certainty.
Verified-entry standard
Before an entry becomes Verified, its primary identity and botanical identity where applicable must be confirmed, at least one credible source must be present, every displayed local name must be checked separately, culinary use must be reviewed, unsupported health claims must be absent, and a reviewer and date must be recorded. Verification does not require every possible language field to be filled.
Sources and corrections
Botanical databases, universities, academic literature, agricultural institutions and careful culinary references are preferred. Retail pages can document packaging or market usage but do not establish botanical identity by themselves. Readers who know another name or see an error can email hello@nigerianspices.com. Suggestions enter editorial review and are never published automatically.
Ingredient research
Traditional use, nutritional composition, laboratory work, animal studies and human clinical evidence are kept separate. Traditional use is not the same as clinical evidence. The website does not diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease and is not medical advice.
Knowledge and commerce remain separate
A Spice record such as /spices/uda/ is an informational reference. A future product page would remain a separate commercial record and link back to the knowledge page. Product data will not replace the canonical ingredient guide.