Author: Chukwudi Odili

Is the pepper export trade also lucrative? We shall find out from proper analysis but from the point of view of being associated with other food exports, it appears to be highly profitable; especially against the backdrop that the growing middle classes in countries across the globe and generally Africans in diaspora apply increasing amount […]

Crayfish, which belongs to the aquatic animal family of crustaceans, is found in fresh water. When boiled or dried, they are used in the preparation of food, and are best served in processed (smoked, dried and crushed) form in combination with such soup delicacies as ogbono, egusi and others, or with moi-moi (beans derivative). Crayfish […]

Ogbono is botanically known as Irvingia gabonensis. Due to its wide socio-economic acceptance, it is called different names by different people across the world: African mango/ sweet bush mango/ or bread tree (English); bobo/ manguier/ or sauvage (French); ugiri or ogbono (Igbo); biri, goron/ or goronor (Hausa); oro, apon/ or aapon (Yoruba); ogwi (Benin); apioro […]

Melon seed (Colocynthis Citrullus lanatus) is a popular food ingredient mostly consumed in milled form by Africans at home and abroad. Across Nigeria, it is known by the various ethnic nationalities as: ‘ egusi ’ (Yoruba/ Ibo), ‘ ogili ’ (Ibo), ‘ ogi’ (Edo),‘iguana agushi’ (Hausa) and ‘ dènde ’ (Fulani). The melon crop, very […]

Bitter Leaf and Pumpkin Leaf, two of a kind; both are vegetables with similar characteristics: high nutrient content, medicinal, in high demand in Europe and America, and mostly consumed as vegetal food and soup-condiments by Africans-in-diaspora. Scientifically called Vernonia Amygdalina, Bitter Leaf is known in local Nigerian languages as Onugbu (Igbo), Shiwaka (Hausa) & Ewuro […]

Fluted pumpkin leaf (Telfairia Occidentalis or Ugu in native language) is one of the commonest, most lucrative, edible vegetables in Nigeria. It possesses universal appeal, nutritional value and medicinal properties. Virtually every part of the fluted pumpkin plant is useful. Fresh pumpkin leaves are one of the main ingredients used in preparing some common Nigerian […]