If you do one thing this summer, pick up a package of grains of paradise. Your grilled steaks will thank you. Also your fish. Also your potato salads. In fact, I think the warm, spicy, woodsy flavor of this little known West African spice is going to make a top-notch addition to just about all our favorite summer picnic foods. Now that I’ve discovered it, I can’t get enough. I originally bought my grains of paradise for a summer wheat beer that I was planning to brew.

Grains of paradise is an aromatic spice from West Africa. It looks like peppercorn and has flavors of cardamom, coriander, citrus, ginger, and nutmeg.

Grains of paradise extract activates brown adipose tissue and increases energy expenditure in men. Read the Benefits of Grains of Paradise.

Hoodoo folk magick says to place the grains in a piece of red cloth and tie it up with a picture of St. Michael as a Gris-Gris or herbal spell for safety.

What are grains of paradise? Recipes and tips for cooking with grains of paradise. Health benefits of grains of paradise.

Bright citrusy cookie with a kick

glass bowl filled with grains of paradise spice with bag of grains of paradise and mortar and pestle

In the Middle Ages (400–1400 AD), grains of paradise were named after their high value. In religious terms, the "earthly paradise" referred to the Garden of Eden mentioned in the Holy Bible. The Hebrew word for "Eden" is used to describe this spice, "gargerigan ha-eden."

African Peanut Soup Grains of Paradise