Grains of Paradise

Grains of Paradise, or MALEGUETTA PEPPER, an aromatic and extremely hot and pungent seed imported from Guinea. It is the produce of Amomum Grana Paradisi, a plant of the order Zingiberaceæ. By the natives these seeds are used as a spice or condiment; in Europe chiefly in veterinary practice, and fraudulently to increase the pungency of fermented and spirituous liquors. By 56 Geo. III. chap. 58, brewers and dealers in beer in England were prohibited, under a heavy penalty, from even having grains of paradise in their possession. This drug is much used to give apparent strength to bad gin. The name Maleguetta Pepper, or Guinea Pepper (q.v.), is also given to other pungent seeds from the west of Africa.