grains of paradise

singular grain of paradise · alternative grains of Paradise · alternative grains o' paradise

1. pluralplural normallyThe seeds or seed capsules of Aframomum melegueta, used as a medicine and spice, especially as a substitute for black pepper and in flavoring alcoholic beverages.

   ...graynes of paradise, hoote & moyst þey be...

   c. 1460, John Russell, The Boke of Nurture, page 126

   5 more examples

   When I found it [Two-Penny Drink] left a hot Tang behind it, it gave me just Reason to believe they had used Grains of Paradise, or long Pepper, both which will save Malt.

   1743, William Ellis, supplement to The London & Country Brewer, 2nd ed., p. 288

   Guinea Grains and Grains of Paradise are considered, by the Trade, as one and the same article.

   1812, James Smyth, The Practice of the Customs in the Entry, Examination, and Delivery of Goods and Merchandize, ii, p. 84

   "Gærtner has figured the fruit and seeds of a scitamineous plant under the name of Zingiber Melægueta, and which he considered to be identical with the Grains of Paradise."

   1844, Jonathan Pereira, “On Grains of Paradise”, in The American Journal of Pharmacy, page 97

   ...beer poisoned wi' grains o' paradise, and cocculus indicus.

   1850, Charles Kingsley, chapter VIII, in Alton Locke, volume I, page 127

   "In fact this spice was making a second appearance in Europe: it was Guinea pepper, mentioned by Pliny as 'African pepper', and also known as Malaguetta pepper or grains of Paradise. Grains of Paradise had been very popular in the thirteenth century and again in the sixteenth; its popularity may have been due to the brilliant name thought up for it by some advertising genius born before his time."

   1994, Anthea Bell, A History of Food, Wiley-Blackwell, translation of original by Maguelonne Toussaint-Samat, →ISBN, page 495

   Synonyms: guinea grains, Guinea pepper, malagueta, melegueta, alligator pepper, malagueta pepper, cardamom

2. pluralplural normallyuncommonAframomum melegueta itself, a herbaceous perennial plant native to the swamps of the West African coast.