Wild Grains of Paradise

You may have tasted Grains of Paradise without knowing it — it's a backbone spice in ras el hanout and a botanical in many gins. Worth getting to know on its own terms. A wild-harvested spice from the forests of Congo, it looks like a small peppercorn but tastes completely different. Hot and lingering on the tongue, with a fragrance that's peppery and floral at once, with notes of lavender, citrus, and a hint of camphor once ground. This wild Congolese variety from Épices de Cru is hotter and more aromatic than the cultivated kind. Use it anywhere you'd reach for pepper but want something more interesting: soups, stews, grilled meat, spice blends. And in small doses, it works surprisingly well as a base note in chocolate desserts. 15g jar