The Nigerian Spice Index A–Z

International Spice

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Fenugreek

Aromatic • Bitter

A distinctive seed and leaf ingredient used in spice blends and selected contemporary dishes.

Explore Fenugreek →

Other Culinary Flavouring

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Garlic

Pungent • Savoury

A pungent allium used widely in Nigerian marinades, stews, rice dishes and seasoning blends.

Explore Garlic →

Aromatic

Gbafilo

Gbafilo is a Nigerian soup ingredient used for body and texture. Explore its English identity, appearance, preparation and research notes.

Explore Gbafilo →

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.

Explore Ginger →

Seed spice

Grains of Paradise

Aromatic • Peppery · Medium heat

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

Explore Grains of Paradise →

Other Culinary Flavouring

Groundnut

Nutty • Savoury

Groundnuts used as a culinary nut and as a base or component in Nigerian seasonings and dishes.

Explore Groundnut →

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 →

Seasoning Blend

Seasoning blend

Jollof Seasoning

A convenient seasoning-blend category for jollof rice; ingredients, salt and heat vary by producer and recipe.

Explore Jollof Seasoning →

Seasoning Blend

Seasoning blend

Kilishi Yaji

A yaji-style seasoning associated with kilishi; exact formulas differ by maker and region.

Explore Kilishi Yaji →

Aromatic

Kula

A regional ingredient name retained as a high-priority research record.

Explore Kula →

Aromatic Herb

Lemongrass

Citrusy • Herbal

A citrus-scented aromatic herb used in infusions, broths and contemporary Nigerian cooking.

Explore Lemongrass →

International Spice

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Mace

Aromatic • Warming

The aromatic aril surrounding the nutmeg seed, used as a separate warm spice.

Explore Mace →

International Herb

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Mint

Fresh • Herbal

A fresh cooling herb used in drinks, garnishes, sauces and contemporary dishes.

Explore Mint →

Leaf

Moringa Leaf

Moringa leaves used as a culinary leafy ingredient in fresh or dried form.

Explore Moringa Leaf →

International Spice

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Mustard Seed

Pungent

A pungent seed spice used whole, crushed or ground in selected seasonings and sauces.

Explore Mustard Seed →

Seasoning Blend

Seasoning blend

Nigerian Curry Powder

A Nigerian-market curry seasoning category whose colour, heat, salt and component spices vary by brand or recipe.

Explore Nigerian Curry Powder →

International Spice

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Nutmeg

Aromatic • Warming

A warm aromatic seed spice used in drinks, baking, sauces and savoury dishes.

Explore Nutmeg →

Aromatic

Oburunbebe

A named regional aromatic retained in the Index as a high-priority research record.

Explore Oburunbebe →

Soup Thickener

Ofor

A Nigerian soup-thickening flour often identified in food studies as seed from Detarium microcarpum.

Explore Ofor →

Fermented seasoning

Ogiri

Fermented • Savoury

Ogiri is a fermented Nigerian seasoning category, not one fixed ingredient. Compare its forms, aroma, uses and differences from iru.

Explore Ogiri →

Fermented seasoning

Ogiri Ugba

A specifically named fermented seasoning record kept separate while its identity and regional usage are researched.

Explore Ogiri Ugba →

Leaf

Okazi

African jointfir leaf

A firm leafy ingredient used in Nigerian soups, commonly associated with Gnetum species and also sold as ukazi.

Explore Okazi →

Fermented seasoning

Okpei

A named fermented seasoning included for careful documentation of its raw material, naming and regional use.

Explore Okpei →

Other Culinary Flavouring

Widely used in Nigerian cooking

Onion

Pungent • Savoury

A foundational allium used for sweetness, aroma and savoury depth across Nigerian cooking.

Explore Onion →