If you grew up in a Ghanaian household, you know hwentia — the dried, smoky-peppery pods used in soups, teas, and traditional pito brewing. But if you're trying to find it outside Ghana, or explain it to someone who's never heard the word, the English name isn't obvious. Here's the full answer.
What Is Hwentia Called in English?
Hwentia is the Twi (Akan) name for what's known in English as grains of selim — also called Selim pepper, African pepper, Ethiopian pepper, or Kimba pepper depending on the region. Botanically, it's the dried fruit of Xylopia aethiopica, a tree native to West and Central Africa. It's related to, but distinct from, grains of paradise — a common point of confusion when shopping outside Ghana.
What Does Hwentia Look Like?
Hwentia comes as small, dark, elongated pods, each containing several seeds, with a peppery, smoky, slightly camphor-like aroma. It's typically sold whole and either used whole (crushed lightly before use) or ground fresh, similar to how black peppercorns are used but with a very different, more complex flavor.
What Is Hwentia Used For?
In Ghanaian and wider West African cooking, hwentia shows up in:
- Soups and stews — a few pods added whole to light soup, palm nut soup, or pepper soup for a smoky, peppery depth
- Tea — hwentia tea is a traditional remedy, often brewed alone or with other spices for coughs, colds, and digestion
- Pito brewing — used traditionally in flavoring the fermented millet/sorghum drink pito
For a full breakdown of cooking uses, see our guide to cooking with grains of selim and our grains of selim tea recipe.
Where to Buy Authentic Hwentia
African Delights carries authentic whole hwentia (grains of selim), sourced for the same quality and flavor found in Ghana, shipped directly across the US. For the complete picture on health benefits and traditional uses, see our complete grains of selim guide and grains of selim health benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hwentia in English?
Hwentia is the Twi name for grains of selim (also called Selim pepper or African pepper), the dried fruit of the Xylopia aethiopica tree, used widely in West African cooking and traditional remedies.
Is hwentia the same as grains of paradise?
No — hwentia (grains of selim) and grains of paradise come from different plants and have different flavor profiles, though they're often confused because both are West African spices sometimes labeled generically as "African pepper."
Where can I buy hwentia online in the US?
African Delights Store carries authentic whole hwentia (grains of selim) online, shipped directly to customers across the US.
