The Nigerian Spice Index A–Z

Soup Thickener

Achi

A seed-derived Nigerian soup thickener commonly identified in food-science studies as Brachystegia eurycoma.

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Seed spice

Alligator Pepper

Aromatic • Peppery · Medium heat

A pungent, aromatic seed spice used in cooking and in cultural contexts across parts of Nigeria.

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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

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Fresh Pepper

Ata Wewe

Hot

A small hot-pepper category used for concentrated heat in Nigerian cooking.

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Leaf

Atama

A regional Nigerian leaf ingredient recorded for further source-led documentation.

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Aromatic

Atapata

A regional ingredient name retained as a research-first Index record.

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Seasoning Blend

Seasoning blend

Banga Spice

Aromatic • Savoury · Mild heat

A family of aromatic spice blends associated with palm-fruit soups and stews.

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International Herb

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Bay Leaf

Aromatic • Herbal

An aromatic leaf simmered in rice, stews and sauces and normally removed before serving.

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Leaf

Bitter Leaf

Bitter leaf

Bitter

A deliberately bitter Nigerian soup leaf, widely documented under the older botanical name Vernonia amygdalina.

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International Spice

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Black Pepper

Peppery

A globally traded pepper spice used whole or ground in Nigerian cooking and seasoning blends.

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Dried Pepper

Cameroon Pepper

Hot • Smoky · Very hot heat

A very hot dried pepper seasoning valued for its concentrated, often smoky character.

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International Spice

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Cardamom

Aromatic • Warming

A fragrant pod and seed spice used in drinks, rice, baking and aromatic blends.

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International Spice

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Cayenne Pepper

Hot

A hot ground red-pepper seasoning used to add direct heat to dishes and blends.

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International Spice

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Cinnamon

Sweet • Warming

A sweet-warming bark spice used in drinks, baking, rice dishes and spice blends.

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International Spice

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Cloves

Aromatic • Warming

Intensely aromatic dried flower buds used sparingly in drinks, rice, stews and spice blends.

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International Spice

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Coriander

Citrusy • Herbal

An international herb and seed spice used in selected Nigerian recipes and seasoning blends.

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Aromatic

Country Onion

Aromatic • Savoury

Country onion in Nigeria is an aromatic seasoning associated with Afrostyrax lepidophyllus. See its forms, flavour, uses and identity caveats.

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Seafood Seasoning

Crayfish

Savoury

Dried crayfish used whole or ground to add concentrated seafood savouriness to soups, stews and sauces.

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International Spice

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Cumin

Aromatic • Earthy

An earthy aromatic seed spice used in selected marinades, rice dishes and spice blends.

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International Herb

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Curry Leaf

Aromatic • Herbal

An aromatic leaf used in some contemporary Nigerian and diasporic cooking; distinct from curry powder.

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Fermented seasoning

Dawadawa

Fermented • Savoury

A fermented savoury seasoning name used in West African foodways; product identity and naming can vary by place.

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International Herb

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Dill

Fresh • Herbal

A delicate aromatic herb used in selected fish, vegetable, sauce and salad preparations.

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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

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International Spice

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Fennel

Aromatic • Sweet

A sweet-aniseed seed or herb ingredient used in selected drinks, dishes and spice blends.

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