Spices are obtained from the fruits, flowers, roots, seeds, or bark of plants.
- Learn about iru, African nutmeg, djangsang, country onions, and Egusi melon seeds.
- Each spice is grown and harvested with the utmost care.
- There are zero additives in our spices—no preservatives, no food colorants—just pure spice.
Explore our online spices store for your 100% additive-free, premium-quality spices today.
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Spices are obtained from the fruits, flowers, roots, seeds, or bark of plants. Yaji Spice seasonings are no different—they come from the non-leaf parts of plants. The single origin spices that come from the fruits, flowers, roots, seeds, or bark of plants include:
- Iru, or fermented locust beans
- African nutmeg
- Djangsang
- Country onions
- Egusi melon seeds
Each spice is grown and harvested with the utmost care. Read on for more on what Yaji Spices are made of.
What Is Iru?
Iru, or a fermented locust bean, is a seed that comes from a pod on Parkia biglobosa, the African locust bean tree. It is not grown on farms—the women who collect iru go into the wild to do so. Once the seeds have been collected from the Bush, the process to prepare them takes two weeks. First, they’re boiled for seven days to get the skin to soften. Then the women spend another seven days cleaning them and fermenting them in their kitchens on a big tray made of calabash, an African plant.
What Is African Nutmeg?
African nutmeg, also known by its scientific name Monodora myristica, is a tree grown in tropical Africa. The African nutmeg spice comes from the seeds of this tree. African nutmeg is a warm and spicy seasoning that has a slightly bitter flavor. It’s a versatile, unique spice. You can grind it up and use it in savory soups and stews or add it to sweet desserts and puddings for an extra punch of flavor.
What Is Djangsang?
The djangsang tree, from West Africa, produces round, yellow-brown seeds that can be used as a spice. Also known as akpi seed, njangsa, essessang, and wama African spice, Yaji Spice calls this spice djangsang. It has a strong nutty-with-chocolate flavor and is used to add flavor to sauces, stews, soups and rice dishes. Ground and mixed with water, it is a natural thickener similar to okra or cornstarch. Djangsang is a delicious addition to your pantry.
What Are Country Onions?
Country onions are oval-shaped seeds that come from the tree Afrostyrax lepidophyllus from Cameroon, Ghana, and Gabon. Because of their oval shape, they are also known as “Rondelles,” “Olum,” or “Bobimbi.” Country onions have an aromatic, rich, savory flavor with a unique blend of onion and garlic. When dried and peeled, they are the perfect addition to a wide variety of dishes. Use them in soups, stews, pasta dishes and grilled foods as a marvelous substitute for traditional onion powder or garlic.
What Are Egusi Melon Seeds?
Egusi melon seeds come from the protein-rich seeds of the gourd family and are dried and used as a staple ingredient in West African cuisine. They should never be confused with pumpkin or watermelon seeds. They have a distinctive taste when dried and used as a spice. They have a rich, nutty flavor that is high in protein content. Egusi melon seeds are highly nutritious and have a creamy, buttery texture and taste.
Yaji Spices are natural and come from the fruits, flowers, roots, seeds, or bark of plants. There are zero additives in our spices—no preservatives, no food colorants—just pure spice. This makes them healthier alternatives to other spice brands. Explore our online spices store for your 100% additive-free, premium-quality spices today.
Please note: While no nuts are added to the Nut-Free Suya Spice Blend, Yaji Spice operates in facilities that may process nuts and therefore cannot guarantee the absence of trace allergens. Yaji Spice bears no responsibility for any allergic reactions or related incidents.
