Everything You Need To Know About UZIZA In One Article!
UZIZA (Piper guineense)
Find out;
¶ History of Uziza
¶ Nutritional Constituents
¶ Health Benefits
¶ Meals prepared with Uziza
¶ Differences between Uziza, Utazi and Okazi
¶ Uses of Uziza leaf
Uziza is an African plant, of which two parts are used: the leaves and the berries which is known as the SEED{Piper Guineense} The leaves, which have a peppery taste, are pale green when fresh, and darker green when frozen, dried, or ground and dried. The leaves, whether whole or ground, are used in soups.
Uziza also known as false cubeb pepper, Guinean pepper or the Ashanti pepper is a spice plant and both the seeds or berries are used as an organic spice. The seeds are very similar to a class of pepper called the cubeb pepper but are not as bitter as and possess a more herb-like and piquant taste than the cubeb pepper because of the 5-8% of piperine the leaf contains.
In Nigeria, it is known by many Names. while the botanical name of Uziza is Piper Guineense, it is known as ‘Ata iyere’ in Yoruba, Eshasha in Urhobo, Oziza in Ijaw, and Uziza in Igbo.
The leaves are are normally sliced or shredded before used for cooking while the seeds are dried and ground.
The leaves and seeds of Piper guineense were initially consumed in the Southern part of Nigeria but overtime its consumption has spread across the entire country even into neighboring countries like Benin Republic, Ghana, Liberia, and Cameroun amongst others Also, it incorporation in intercontinental dishes and its high demand by Nigerians in foreign countries have promoted its use in countries far and wide.
NUTRITIONAL CONSTITUENTS
Uziza contains;
¶ Protein,
¶ Dietary fiber,
¶ Essential oils,
¶ Alkaloids,
¶ Flavonoids,
¶ Steroids,
¶ Glycosides,
¶ Phenols,
¶ Peptide,
¶ Saponins,
¶ Tannins
¶ They also have large amounts of beta-caryophyllene, which is an anti-inflammatory agent and notable amounts of myristicol, elemicin, safrole, and dillapiole, as well as a little amount of apiole shown to be beneficial to health.
Uziza has the following HEALTH BENEFITS:
1. It has Antibacterial and Antifungal properties:
The presence of Uziza leaf in your food can help fight bacteria and fungi bacteria related infections.
2. It can prevent the growth of cancer cells because of the presence of high antioxidants.
It also contains a compound called myrcene and the monoterpene compounds all proven to inhibit the growth of different cancerous cells.
3. It is a good remedy for cough and bronchitis.
4. It is able to treat intestinal disorders, ease indigestion and improve appetite.
5. It improves fertility such as Ovulation, Penile erections and stimulation of sexual behaviors.
6. It Protects the cardiovascular health. Uziza is great for your heart because according to some researchers, Uziza contains compounds that helps the smooth muscle tissue relax.
7. It is a great weight-loss spice
8. It is good for diabetic patients because it helps lower blood sugar
MEALS PREPARED WITH UZIZA
Because of its unique taste & aroma, The Uziza leaf can be used for any kind of soup in Nigeria. The most common soups it is used to prepare are pepper soup, Okra, Oha, Ogbonno, and Nsala.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN UZIZA, UTAZI AND UKAZI
Somehow, a lot of people find it hard to tell the difference between the three leaves. A lady was supposed to cook Okra soup and needed to get Uziza leaf but unknowingly bought Ukazi instead because she didn’t know she was pronouncing Ukazi and so, the seller gave her the latter and since she couldn’t tell the difference, she used it and couldn’t eat the food before she realized the difference.
Here are a few differences between the three leaves.
✓ Uziza Leaf
° They are also known as Oziza or false cubeb leaves
° The leaves and seeds are spicy hot and has a unique Aroma/smell.
° It used to prepare foods such as pepper soup, Oha, Okra, Nsala and Ogbonno soup.
✓ Utazi Leaf
° Also known as Otazi leaf
° It has a somewhat bitter taste and is usually eaten raw therefore it is used for garnishing.
√ It used as a garnish for foods such as the African salad (also known as Abacha & Ugba), Isiewu and Nkwobi popular among the Igbo people of the eastern part of Nigeria. It is also used to prepare soups like Nsala & Utazi.
✓ Okazi Leaf
° Also known as Afang or Okazi leaf
° The leaves are tough, hard, glossy and doesn’t have a distinctive smell. They are always crushed or pounded before cooking
° It is used to cook the Okazi soup also known as the Afang soup popularly known and eaten among the Ibibio or Efik people of the south-south of Nigeria.
There’s also a recipe of Egusi soup it is added to.
USES OF UZIZA PLANT
1. As Medicine:
For medicinal uses, the leaves are commonly consumed as tea.
The other way of obtaining the health benefits of Uziza leaves is by boiling the fresh leaves and drinking the water as a herbal tea. Similarly, the leaves are often grounded and capsuled to be consumed as daily health supplement capsule
2. As spice:
As mentioned earlier, its used to prepare different meals.
3. As a preservative.
Hope you will give Uziza a try when cooking your next meal?
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