Uziza Seeds (Piper guineense): Taste, Uses & How to Cook With West African Pepper
Spice guide · Yado Market Blog
Uziza seeds come from Piper guineense, a West African pepper vine and a cousin of black pepper. They give Nigerian pepper soup, banga and ofe nsala their warm, fresh, peppery kick. Here is what uziza tastes like, how it compares to other peppers, and exactly how to cook with it.
Quick answer: what is uziza?
- The seeds (berries) of Piper guineense.
- Also called iyere, Ashanti pepper, West African black pepper.
- Peppery with a fresh, slightly minty aroma.
- Grind fresh and add to soups in the last 10 minutes.
Piper guineense
Scientific name
4 oz
Bag size
1 tsp
Per pot of soup
Whole
Grind fresh
Know your spice
What Are Uziza Seeds?
Uziza is the Igbo name for Piper guineense, a climbing pepper vine of West Africa and a cousin of black pepper. Its small dried berries, the uziza seeds, are used to flavor a wide range of African soups, and its leaves are cooked as a leafy vegetable.1
The seeds look like black peppercorns with tiny tails, and they bring a warm, peppery heat with a fresh, almost minty aroma. You will also hear it called iyere in Yoruba, Ashanti pepper in Ghana, and West African black pepper.
Nigeria (Igbo)
Uziza: seeds and leaves.
Nigeria (Yoruba)
Iyere.
Ghana
Ashanti pepper.
Botanical
Piper guineense, family Piperaceae.
Spice cabinet
Uziza vs Black Pepper vs Alligator Pepper
Uziza seeds
Piper guineense. Peppery with a fresh, slightly minty aroma. The signature spice of Igbo pepper soup.
Black pepper
Piper nigrum. A close cousin with a sharper, drier heat and no minty note.
Alligator pepper
Seeds inside a pod (a ginger-family plant). Hot, citrusy and floral. Shop alligator pepper.
In the kitchen
How to Cook With Uziza Seeds
A little goes a long way. Start small and taste as you go.
1. Toast
Dry-toast the seeds in a pan for 1 minute to wake up the aroma (optional).
2. Grind
Crush or grind them fresh, just before cooking.
3. Add
Stir about 1 teaspoon of ground uziza into a pot of soup in the last 10 minutes.
4. Store
Keep whole seeds in an airtight jar, away from light and heat.
Shop the meal
Best Dishes for Uziza
Uziza is the secret behind many classic Nigerian soups. Get everything you need in one order:
- Pepper soup: goat meat, catfish or chicken.
- Banga soup: Delta palm nut soup.
- Ofe nsala: white soup.
- Egusi and okra soups: a small pinch adds depth.
- Stews and marinades: use it like black pepper.
What scientists found
Uziza Seeds Benefits: What Research Says
Beyond flavor, uziza is valued in West African traditional medicine. A 2024 review notes the seeds contain alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and terpenoids, and that studies have explored antioxidant, antimicrobial and liver-protective activity.1 Like black pepper, uziza contains piperine, the compound behind its heat.2 Researchers have also found the dried leaves and seeds to be good sources of nutrients.3
Enjoy it in normal cooking amounts. Some studies suggest uziza may affect the uterus, so during pregnancy stick to small amounts in food.2
Frequently Asked Questions
What are uziza seeds?
Uziza seeds are the dried berries of Piper guineense, a West African pepper vine related to black pepper.
What does uziza taste like?
Peppery and warm like black pepper, with a fresher, slightly minty and herbal aroma.
What is uziza called in English?
Common English names include West African black pepper, Ashanti pepper and Guinea pepper. In Yoruba it is iyere.
Is uziza the same as alligator pepper?
No. Uziza is a Piper (pepper) vine. Alligator pepper is a pod of seeds from a plant in the ginger family.
How much uziza should I use?
Start with about 1 teaspoon of freshly ground seeds per pot of soup and adjust to taste.
Where can I buy uziza seeds in the USA?
At Yado Market: pick up at 1651 E 87th St in Chicago, local delivery, or shipping anywhere in the U.S.
Keep reading
Related Guides
Cook a Real Pot of Pepper Soup
Uziza, pepper soup mix and everything else you need, shipped from our Chicago store.
This guide shares traditional uses and published research for general information. It is not medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. If you are pregnant, nursing, take prescription medicine or have a health condition, check with your doctor before using herbal products.
Research & references
Sources
- Ohemu et al., Piper guineense Schum. & Thonn. (Piperaceae): a review of its pharmacognostic, phytochemical, ethnomedicinal and pharmacological properties, Journal of Pharmacy & Bioresources (2024)
- Alagbe et al., Ethnomedicinal Uses and Therapeutic Activities of Piper guineense: A Review, J. Applied Sciences & Environmental Management (2021)
- Effects of heat treatment on the nutrient composition and phytochemical properties of fresh and dried leaves and seeds of Piper guineense (Uziza)
- Salehi et al., Piper Species: A Comprehensive Review on Their Phytochemistry, Biological Activities and Applications, Molecules (2019)