Grains

Grains of Paradise, the export of which gave its name to the Grain Coast of West Tropical Africa, are the pungent seeds of Aniomum Melegueta, a member of the ginger family. They used formerly to be employed with ginger and cinnamon in making the spiced wine known as Hippocras; but are now mainly used in cattle-foods and cordials. They were perhaps once used by publicans to give a semblance of strength to beer, but their costliness would, prevent this being done to any extent, even if it were not prohibited under heavy penalties.

They are not, however, deleterious, but are less arematic than cardamoms (q.v.).