SC - Re: grains of paradise

[Allyson Tripp]

>From the OED, grain, definition 4a:
 
(in full frains of Paradise: in early use also sing.): The capsules
of Amomum Meleguetta of Western Africa (cf. Cardamom b), used as a spice
and in medicine; called also Guinea grains (see Guinea).
 
Numerous literary references, the first being Chaucer in 1366.


 
Cardamom b: Also occas. applied to the capsules of A. Meleguetta 
of Western Africa, usually called Grains of Paradise.
 
While we're here:

Guinea corn: durra, or Indian millet, Sorghum bulgare
Guinea cock: a (male) Guinea fowl
Guinea cubebs: Piper Afzelii
Guinea deer: the chevrotain
Guinea duck: the Muscovy duck
Guinea fowl: [Imported from Guinea in 16th c. ; cf. F poule de la Guine'e
             (Belon 1555).] A gallinaceous bird of the genus Numida, esp.
             N. Meleagris, which is a common domestic fowl in Europe. It
             has slate-coloured plumage with white spots.
Guinea goose: the Chinese goose or swan-goose, Anser or Cygnopsis cygnoides
Guinea grains: grains of Paradise
Guinea grass: a tall-growing fodder grass of tropical Africa, Panicum maximum
Guinea hen: 1. The turkey-hen or turkey
            2. The (female) guinea fowl
Guinea hog: the river-pig of Guinea, Potamochoerus pictus
Guinea (oil) palm: Elais gueneesis
Guinea peach: a strong climbing shrub of western tropical Africa,
              Sarcocephalus esculentus, yielding a fruit resembling a peach
Guinea pepper: an early name for Cayenne pepper
Guinea pig: A rodent mammal (Cavia Cobaya) originating in S. America, first
            reference to eating: 1673 C. Brown Trav. Germany, etc. (1677)
            109 Some odde dishes at their Tables; as Guiny-pigs, divers
            sorts of Snails, and Tortoises.
Guinea plum: the plum-like fruit of a large West African tree, 
             Parinarium excelsum
Guinea pods: the fruit of Capsicum frutescens
Guinea sorrel: Hibiscus sabdariffa
Guinea weed: Petiveria alliacea
Guinea wheat: an old name of Indian corn

Whew!

Allyson

============================================================================

To be removed from the SCA-Cooks mailing list, please send a message to
Majordomo at Ansteorra.ORG with the message body of "unsubscribe SCA-Cooks".

============================================================================