In the South East, you get ogiri (sometimes made from
fermented pumpkin seed); in the South West, have iru;
and in the North, you have dawadawa. Whichever region
of Nigeria you go, you are sure to get a nutritional and
medicinal seasoning.
Locust bean, commonly referred to as iru, is a local
seasoning used in soups and stews. A very popular
soup ingredient, especially among the elderly women,
globally, it is referred to as African locust bean with
botanical name as Parkia biglobosa.
Before the advent of modern seasonings like bullion
cubes, it was such a condiment that could not be done
without. Even at that, it has in recent years assumed a
great deal of popularity among the younger generation
in view of different kinds of diseases now commonly
associated with the modern condiments and seasonings.
The product is obtainable from a perennial tree legume
which plays an important part in traditional agriculture,
but has not entered commercial trade to any significant
extent.
A nutritionist and a staffer of Oyo State Ministry of
Health, simply identified as Mrs. Alarape, spoke with
Food and Beverages on this highly nutritious soup
ingredient. “Parkia trees are found in Africa, South-East
Asia and Tropical South-America as well,” she said.
Insisting that the tree is not only popular in Africa or
Yorubaland, as the case may be, she disclosed that “in
Malaysia and Indonesia, the whole foods, including
seeds of parkia speciosa are eaten raw or cooked as a
vegetable known as ‘petal’.
She further explained that in West Africa, from Gambia
to Cameroun, “the beans of the Savanna species, parkia
biglobosa, are widely fermented to the traditional
dawadawa, while the yellow pericarp pulp is eaten as a
fresh food which is the product of the seeds”.
Locust bean, she analysed “is made from proximate
composition of protein (30 per cent), fat (15 per cent)
crude fibre (four per cent) ash (two per cent and
carbohydrates (49 per cent).
The raw fruit pulp is said to contain natural sugar and
thus a potential source of energy, and the attractive
yellow colour indicates the presence of phyto nutrients,
possibly carotenoids which are important precursors of
retinol (Vitamin A). It also has a sour taste which
indicates the presence of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C).
When it is fermented, the Yoruba have a way of getting
two types from it, the mashed type and the loose or
free type, and they are used for different types of soups,
but for the same purpose.
Locust bean is said to have some derivable nutritional
benefits such as its impact on controlling blood
pressure, whereby the diastolic blood pressure
measurement enjoys more reduction than the systolic.
The possible use of fermented locust bean seed in
controlling diabetes and cholesterol level has been
confirmed. Also, high levels of high density lipoproteins
(HDL) – the good cholesterol, and low density
lipoprotein (LDL) – the bad cholesterol, were observed in
animals treated with the water extract of locust beans.
The African locust bean tree has also been found to
possess wonders. For instance, the pulverised bark of
the tree is employed in wound healing and serves as
one of the ingredients is used in treating leprosy. The
decoction of the bark is also used as bath for fever and
as a hot mouth wash to steam and relieve toothache in
Cote d’Ivoire.
Scientists have also concluded that both the water and
alcoholic extracts of fermented seeds of African locust
bean exact a blood sugar-lowering effect. Only the water
extract of it can ameliorate the loss of body weight
usually associated with diabetes.
Despite the derivable benefits and the emerging
popularity of the fermented locust beans, the production
seems to be the exclusive preserve of the old
generation, and this is giving experts worry as to what
becomes of its future in the contemporary Yoruba/
African setting.

How do we believe u without a credible source

#overall benefit.
Eat it raw and open ur mouth around ur enemies, them go run

urchbarbie:
#overall benefit.
Eat it raw and open ur mouth around ur enemies, them go run

u no jst pity them @ all

As in ehn.

Feyifahm:
u no jst pity them @ all

good piece...
doin a project work on iru and I found this useful
thanks Original poster

urchbarbie:
#overall benefit.
Eat it raw and open ur mouth around ur enemies, them go run

Lmao at your comment.

Very true dear. I wonder why sometin like dat must smell so much.

cynhamscakes:


Lmao at your comment.

Where can I get fresh ones

We sell stonefree, dirtfree and smellfree locust locust beans.