Grains of Paradise

With such a hauntingly beautiful name, this magnificent African spice instantly conjures up thoughts of exotic faraway places; in medieval times people really did think it had come from an earthly paradise. As inspiring as the name is the flavour – a complex and heady mix of ginger, black pepper, nutmeg and cardamom, albeit without the camphoric notes of the latter. The grains are pungent like pepper, with aromatic essential oils similar to those found in allspice and cloves.