grains of paradise

British  

plural noun

1. Also called: guinea grains.  the peppery seeds of either of two African zingiberaceous plants, Aframomum melegueta or A. granum-paradisi, used as stimulants, diuretics, etc

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Example Sentences

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grains of paradise

Their recipe sources botanicals from four continents, including juniper from Croatia, coriander seeds from the Middle East and grains of paradise from the Gulf of Guinea.

From Forbes ● Aug. 11, 2014

Their “secret sauce” is the proportions of their “botanicals,” including coriander seed, fennel seed, celery seed, lemon peel, grapefruit peel, cinnamon, lemon grass, grains of paradise, angelica root, orris root and sage.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 10, 2013

The seeds are pale olive brown, devoid of the fiery peppery taste of the grains of paradise.

From The Commercial Products of the Vegetable Kingdom Considered in Their Various Uses to Man and in Their Relation to the Arts and Manufactures; Forming a Practical Treatise & Handbook of Reference for the Colonist, Manufacturer, Merchant, and Consumer, on the Cultivation, Preparation for Shipment, and Commercial Value, &c. of the Various Substances Obtained From Trees and Plants, Entering into the Husbandry of Tropical and Sub-tropical Regions, &c. by Simmonds, P. L.

And there is an excuse for preferring champagne to waterside porter, heady with grains of paradise and quassia, salt and cocculus indicus. 

From Literary and General Lectures and Essays by Kingsley, Charles

Capsicum and grains of paradise, two highly acrid substances, are employed to give a pungent taste to weak insipid beer.

From A Treatise on Adulterations of Food, and Culinary Poisons Exhibiting the Fraudulent Sophistications of Bread, Beer, Wine, Spiritous Liquors, Tea, Coffee, Cream, Confectionery, Vinegar, Mustard, Pepper, Cheese, Olive Oil, Pickles, and Other Articles Employed in Domestic Economy by Accum, Friedrich Christian