grains of paradise

Meaning

Noun

• The seeds or seed capsules of Aframomum melegueta (species), used as a medicine and spice, especially as a substitute for black pepper and in flavoring alcoholic beverages.
• Aframomum melegueta (species) itself, a herbaceous perennial plant native to the swamps of the West African coast.

Related

Similar words

• guinea grains, Guinea pepper, malagueta or melegueta; alligator pepper, malagueta pepper, cardamom

Origin

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