# grains of paradise

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. The 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.
2. Aframomum melegueta itself, a herbaceous perennial plant native to the swamps of the West African coast.

## Etymology
From medieval spice traders claiming that the spice grew only in Eden, in order to inflate prices. Cf. French graines de paradis.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/grains-of-paradise