The Nigerian Spice Index A–Z

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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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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Root

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Ginger

Aromatic • Peppery • Warming · Medium heat

A fresh or dried rhizome that brings warm, citrus-like heat to Nigerian cooking.

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Seed spice

Grains of Paradise

Aromatic • Peppery · Medium heat

Small aromatic seeds with peppery warmth and a bright, complex finish.

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International Spice

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Paprika

Peppery • Sweet

A ground red-pepper seasoning used for colour, mild sweetness or heat depending on the product.

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Seasoning Blend

Seasoning blend

Pepper Soup Spice

Aromatic • Peppery • Warming · Hot heat

A variable family of aromatic blends used to season Nigerian pepper soups.

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Fresh Pepper

Shombo

Long red pepper; cayenne-type pepper

Peppery · Medium to hot heat

Shombo is a long Nigerian red pepper, often compared with cayenne-type pepper, used for red-chilli flavour and variable heat in pepper bases.

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Seasoning Blend

Seasoning blend

Suya Spice

Nutty • Peppery • Savoury · Hot heat

A savoury, peppery seasoning blend associated with Nigerian suya.

Also known as: Yaji

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Pod spice

Uda

Grains of Selim

Peppery • Smoky · Mild heat

Uda is the Nigerian spice commonly called grains of Selim: a dried Xylopia aethiopica fruit with a smoky, peppery aroma for pepper soup and broths.

Also known as: Uda

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Aromatic Leaf

Uziza Leaf

Piper guineense leaf

Herbal • Peppery · Medium heat

Uziza leaf is Piper guineense leaf, a peppery West African soup leaf. Learn its English name, flavour, appearance, uses and substitutes.

Also known as: Uziza

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Seed spice

Uziza Seed

West African pepper

Earthy • Peppery · Medium heat

A peppery seed spice used in soups and seasoning blends.

Also known as: Uziza, Iyere

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International Spice

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

White Pepper

Earthy • Peppery

A pepper spice used for focused heat and a distinctive fermented-earthy aroma.

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