PEPPER SOUP
A MAJOR NIGERIAN APPETIZER
The name of this West African appetizer says it all. Pepper soup is a watery soup prepared with variety of meats or fish, Habanero peppers or any hot pepper, herbs and Uziza seeds as chief ingredient and some other spices. Though, there are variations of this tasty and spicy soup depending on what region of West Africa you are and also on individual taste preferences. It is considered to be a delicacy by some people in Western Africa, and some West Africans believe that the soup has medicinal qualities to it.
The variations of Pepper Soup are seen in the types of meats, fish, herbs and spices used in its preparation. There are two types of pepper soup; meat and fish. The meats used can be in any combination and parts; goat, hen, ox tail, meat tripe, intestines, liver and kidneys. The soup can be prepared in combination of these meats depending on the region and individual preferences. The fish pepper soup can also, be prepared with any kind of fish depending on availability and personal inclination. Again, as mentioned earlier, the other ingredients used in the preparation of pepper soup could be any of these below based on the region of West Africa, country, tribe and individual affinities. Mainly, what will determine the combination of spices and herbs to be utilized in the making of this leisure and comfort delicacy would be rally the cultural background and individual taste cravings. Some of the ingredients used in different parts of West Africa for pepper soup could be any combination of these; Cameroun peppers, varieties of hot peppers, sweet peppers, garlic, green onions, ginger, cloves, cumin, cinnamon, black peppercorns (uziza seeds), Gongronema latifolium (Utazi leaves), parsley, cilantro, and scent leaves (basil). Any blend can be made from a number of listed ingredients above. Though, pepper soup ingredients are not limited to the list above. They could be more depending on the African region.
Pepper soup is typically served at traditional events, clubs, bars, restaurants, and at people’s homes. It is routinely, used for relaxation served with cold drinks, such as beer, malt drinks, or any soft drink. It seems to go better served with cold drinks because of the calmness it brings to the hotness on the taste buds. This soup is believed by the natives to be medicinal because of the herbs and spices it contains. It is beneficial as well when someone is suffering from the cold, allergy and flu. The people swear by the potency of this soup to open up congested sinuses and solve common gastrointestinal problems, because of the medicinal attributes. Mostly served as an appetizer to wake up the taste buds before the main course meal is served or eaten as main meal by the health conscious individuals. Sometimes, pepper soup can be served with side dishes as rice, boiled plantains or yams.
Pepper soup is also made for postpartum (after baby delivery) reasons. The pepper soup made for new nursing mothers is different from the regular one. It differs in the ingredients used. There is a special kind of pepper soup made for nursing mothers predominantly, in the southeastern region of Nigeria, believed to work wonders for the new mom and the baby. It is an accepted delicacy amongst the Igbo tribe, believed to melt away and wash out postpartum hemorrhage (unneeded and dangerous clots of blood) from the uterus of the new nursing mother. Also, it is assumed to help with breast milk production for the new baby. It helps trim the waist line of the new nursing mother as well as an additional benefit. Though, it is a known prescribed soup for the new nursing mothers, its benefits are not only limited to new mothers. Anyone seeking to deal with problems of monthly menstrual cramps, lose inches in the mid-section area, or even intestinal issues can enjoy the benefits. That’s why Deze Foods, now offers a pre mixed blend of these spices and herbs for convenience to those in diaspora for easy pepper soup preparation. It is available in regular and for newly nursing mothers. Pepper soup is loved by many Africans and non-Africans, who have had it notwithstanding the hotness of the soup. Though, the degree of the hotness can be controlled according to individual preferences, because the degree of hotness is not written on stone. One can always tweak to his/her taste level.
Published by Dezefoods on 26th May, 2018.
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