Grains Of Selim

Xylopia aethiopica is an evergreen, aromatic tree of the custard-apple family, Annonaceae, that grows up to 20 metres. It is native to lowland rainforest and moist fringe forests in the savanna zones of Africa, and it now grows most prominently as a crop in Ghana, Togo and elsewhere in West Africa. Its dried fruits are called grains of Selim and are used as a spice and an herbal medicine. In Senegal the fruit flavours café Touba, a coffee drink the article calls the country's spiritual beverage and the traditional drink of the Mouride brotherhood. The fruit is sometimes put into jars of water for purification. An infusion of the bark or fruit is used for bronchitis, dysenteric conditions and toothaches, and bark steeped in palm wine is used for asthma, stomach-aches and rheumatism. In the Middle Ages the fruit was exported to Europe as a pepper.