Nyame Ye Dawadawa Powder | Fermented African Locust Bean Seasoning (Parkia biglobosa) – West Africa's Umami Secret

The flavour that makes Ghanaian cooking taste like home — now delivered across the UK 🇬🇧

If you've ever eaten a bowl of authentic West African soup and wondered what gives it that deep, rich, complex flavour that you just can't replicate with anything else — that's dawadawa. For me, dawadawa is the queen of all fermented foods. It's a local, aromatic seasoning widely used in preparing soups and stews across West Africa. TODAY.com

Dawadawa powder is the ground product of fermented seeds of the African Locust Bean tree (Parkia biglobosa) — a pungent, aromatic spice used to add strong, characteristically musky, umami flavour to a wide array of dishes including soups, stews, and rice dishes. Woodlandfoods

Known as Dawadawa in Ghana and Hausa-speaking communities, Iru among the Yoruba, Ogiri among the Igbo, and Soumbala / Sumbala across Francophone West Africa — this is one ingredient, many names, one unmistakeable flavour.

What Is It?

Dawadawa is made from the seeds of Parkia biglobosa, the African locust bean tree. The seeds are boiled, pounded, dried in the sun, and then fermented to produce a sticky, deeply flavoured seasoning. Specialty Produce Ground into a fine powder, it becomes the most convenient form of this centuries-old condiment — no soaking, no grinding, just measure and cook.

What Does It Taste Like?

Think West Africa's answer to miso or fish sauce — deeply savoury, rich with umami, slightly musky and fermented, with nutty undertones. Just a little dawadawa can enhance the savory flavour of dishes the way MSG does, but naturally and without unwanted additives. Olu Olu Foods A little goes a very long way.

Nutritional Profile

Dawadawa is rich in lipids (29%), protein (35%), and carbohydrates (16%) — a good source of protein, fat, and calcium. 1000 Ecofarms It also contains:

🌿 Plant protein — rich in essential amino acids, highly digestible after fermentation 🦴 Calcium, Potassium & Phosphorus — essential minerals supporting bone health and body function 💛 B-Complex Vitamins — supporting energy production and healthy cell function 🍊 Vitamin C — supporting immune health 🌱 Dietary Fibre — supporting healthy digestion and gut health ✨ Natural probiotic activity from the traditional fermentation process

How to Use It — In the Kitchen

Dawadawa powder is your shortcut to authentic West African depth of flavour. Use it in:

🍲 Soups & stews — palm nut soup, light soup, groundnut soup, okra soup, egusi, efo riro 🍖 Meat & fish dishes — adds richness to braised or slow-cooked meat 🍚 Jollof rice & rice dishes — a pinch transforms the base flavour 🧄 Marinades & rubs — blend with garlic, ginger, and chilli for an authentic West African marinade 🥬 Vegetable dishes — pairs beautifully with spinach, okra, and leafy greens 🌊 Vegan & plant-based cooking — an excellent natural substitute for fish sauce or fermented shrimp paste

Dawadawa pairs well with beef, lamb, and chicken, as well as spices like cinnamon, garlic, and ginger. Some compare its taste to umami flavours common in Japanese ramen — rich in soy, tomato, and mushroom notes. Jowato

How Much to Use

Start with ¼ to ½ teaspoon per dish — dawadawa is potent and a little goes a long way. Adjust to taste. Add early in cooking to allow the flavour to develop fully.

Storage

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Properly stored, dawadawa powder keeps for up to 12 months.

Ingredient: 100% fermented Parkia biglobosa (African Locust Bean) seeds — ground No additives | No preservatives | Naturally vegan & gluten-free Origin: West Africa (Ghana) Net Weight: [Insert weight — e.g., 100g / 200g] Shipping: Delivered across the UK 🇬🇧 by Duaba Afro Foods

⚠️ Allergen Information: Contains soya-family legumes. May not be suitable for individuals with legume allergies. Keep out of reach of children. Store in a cool, dry place.