Is it aroma? Or that unique flavour to your dish? Just add it. Sprinkled on any food, the taste it changes promising to make you relish the moment. Like the salt, it does not sing its praise.
It is a hidden health weapon in kitchens in West African countries like Ghana and holds a special place in the Upper East Region. In the Upper East Region, a whole dish is named after this palatable seasoning because of its unforgettable taste, the “Dawa dawa Jollof”; known for its distinct Dawa dawa taste and flavour.
“Locust beans” are commonly known by the Yoruba as ‘Iru’ and to the Hausa, Igbo, and Ashantis it is ‘dawa dawa’. For the Frafras, it is ‘Koligo’.
Dawa dawa is a local seasoning which is made out of the fermented seeds of an African locust bean tree, it can add strong flavour to a wide range of dishes which includes, including stew, soups, sauces, and rice dishes.
Dawa dawa’s story starts not from the kitchen but with the African locust bean tree. The seeds are harvested, boiled, and dehulled, but the actual transformation happens next. These little beans undergo a fermentation process, a time-honoured tradition often passed down through generations of women. It is the fermentation that awakens a symphony of flavours, creating a potent spell bound to add depth and complexity to any dish.
Hailed from Ghana, dawa dawa is more than just an ingredient; it’s a cultural cornerstone, a secret weapon wielded by home cooks for generations. But Dawa dawa’s magic goes beyond taste. It boasts a myriad of health benefits that make it more than a seasoning.
Dawa dawa’s strong aroma is an acquired taste, absorbed through the pores, but it is well worth acquiring. Its spell is cast once added to soups, stews, and sauces. It embellishes these dishes with a savoury richness, leaving you wanting more. Dawa dawa is an all-around ingredient, allowing you to adjust the amount to suit your preference. A little takes you a long way, and for the ‘Oliver Twists’, a bolder addition can create a truly unforgettable culinary experience.
Dawa dawa is not just a great assistant and weapon in kitchen wars but also has health perks you do not want to miss. It serves as a tummy reliever. The tannins in Dawa dawa are believed to have astringent properties, potentially aiding in the relief of diarrhoea.
Tangled with blood pressure? Enjoy a delightful dish capable of helping your case. Some studies suggest that Dawa dawa consumption may contribute to lowering blood pressure. For fever, Dawa dawa has been used traditionally to combat fever owing to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Finally, as a fermented product, Dawa dawa comes with the benefits fermented foods have to offer, from probiotics, the good bacteria that live in your gut and contribute to healthy digestion and immune function to helping in the breakdown of sugar and more.
So, when next you are looking to add a palatable flavour to your dishes while still enjoying a health booster, Dawa dawa is worth considering. It might just become your hidden seasoning weapon as well.
Rejoice Abongo
Unimac IJ (faculty of journalism)
salmarejoice8@gmail.com