Nigeria’s Pepper Soup: Igbo Words in Every Sip
By: Chimdindu Ken-Anaukwu
When it comes to comfort food, Nigeria’s pepper soup holds a special place in many hearts. Spicy, aromatic, and flavorful, this beloved dish transcends its role as a simple meal—it's a cultural experience. Today, we’re taking you on a journey to discover not just how to make pepper soup but also how to sprinkle in some Igbo vocabulary along the way.
Let’s dive into the recipe and the language!
What is Pepper Soup?
Pepper soup is a clear broth bursting with spices like uda (negro pepper) and ehuru (calabash nutmeg). It’s commonly made with catfish, goat meat, or chicken. For today’s recipe, we’ll use anụ ewu (goat meat), which adds a rich and robust flavor to the dish.
Anụ ewu pepper soup
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for a hearty pot of goat meat pepper soup:
1 kg anụ ewu (goat meat), cut into chunks
1 tablespoon uda (negro pepper), crushed
1 teaspoon ehuru (calabash nutmeg), ground
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, grated
1 onion, chopped (anya nri)
2-3 fresh chili peppers (ose), blended
2 cups meat stock
1 teaspoon thyme
A handful of utazi leaves (bitter herb) or scent leaves (nchuanwu)
Salt (nnu) to taste
1 Maggi cube (optional)
Instructions
1. Prep Your Goat Meat (Anụ Ewu)
Wash and cut the anụ ewu into medium-sized pieces. In Igbo, goat meat is called anụ ewu, and it’s pronounced as ‘meat goat’. It’s often associated with special occasions like weddings and naming ceremonies in Igbo culture.
2. Blend Your Spices
Crush your uda and grind the ehuru. These spices are essential for that authentic pepper soup aroma. In Igbo, uda and ehuru are traditional seasonings known for their health benefits.
3. Cook the Goat Meat
Place your goat meat chunks in a large pot. Add the garlic, ginger, onions (anya nri), thyme, salt (nnu), and Maggi cube. Pour in the meat stock and cook over medium heat for 20–30 minutes until the goat meat is tender.
4. Add the Heat (Ose)
Blend the fresh chili peppers (ose) and stir them into the pot. Adjust the quantity based on your spice tolerance. Pepper is essential in pepper soup—after all, it’s not called “pepper soup” for nothing!
5. Simmer with the Spices
Add the crushed uda, ground ehuru, and a little water if needed. Allow the soup to simmer for another 10–15 minutes so the flavors meld beautifully.
6. Garnish with Leaves
Toss in your utazi or nchuanwu leaves just before turning off the heat. These herbs add a bitter and aromatic finish to your pepper soup.
Serve and Learn
Congratulations! Your pepper soup is ready to serve. Dish it out into bowls, and as you enjoy, here’s a quick Igbo vocabulary guide for pepper soup:
Soup: Ofe
Meat: Anụ
Goat Meat: Anụ Ewu
Salt: Nnu
Pepper: Ose
Leaf: Akwụkwọ nri
Why Pepper Soup Matters in Igbo Culture
In Igbo tradition, meals are more than just sustenance—they’re moments of connection. Pepper soup often accompanies celebrations, post-childbirth rituals, and even moments of healing. It’s a dish that brings people together and warms the soul.
Learn Igbo, One Meal at a Time
Pepper soup isn’t just a recipe—it’s an invitation to learn and embrace Igbo culture. As you enjoy this comforting dish, remember the words you’ve learned today and how they tie back to the rich culinary heritage of the Igbo people.
Did you know? In Igbo cuisine, nsala soup (a close cousin of pepper soup) is thickened with yam, making it perfect for festive occasions.
P.S. Next time you cook pepper soup, try saying the names of the ingredients in Igbo. Your taste buds—and your vocabulary—will thank you!