Grains Of Paradise For You Spice Hunters! Did You Know?

Did you know that grains of paradise are an alternative to black pepper on the dinner table? It's a lot more interesting than black pepper and also known as alligator pepper. Pretty cool name if you ask me.
Grains of paradise look like black pepper, but they're dried seeds, not berries. Also, unlike black pepper, they're native to Africa, not Asia.
What Does It Taste Like? Well they are a spice worth a couple minutes' meditation. Initial smell is an intense woody, almost forest-like aroma. Bite down on one and you will have a  burst of a peppery warm flavor, full but not harsh at all. Then light citrus, almost herb-like clove, cinnamon, and a hint of cardamom. At the end a pleasant, full-bodied heat that lingers for a while, It does not tingle or burn , but more like a gentle flame.
It work well with anything. You can use it just like black pepper. I usually grind it myself directly before use for full fresh flavor. Few recipes call for grains of paradise as it's still largely an unknown ingredient, but after tasting, it's easy to get a sense for how to use it. Frankly, I use it on everything, but I am also a HUGE pepper lover!

God Bless The Sabbath Day!

Simone :)

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