Ogbono

Description

Ogbono refers to the seeds of the wild mango tree, scientifically known as Irvingia gabonensis. These seeds are a popular ingredient in West African cooking, especially in Nigeria.

The seeds are typically dried and ground into a powder or paste. When cooked, ogbono has a unique property—it thickens soups and gives them a characteristic slippery (draw) texture, similar to okra but with a richer, nutty flavor.

Ogbono is most commonly used to prepare Ogbono soup, where it is combined with palm oil, meats, fish, and sometimes leafy vegetables like bitterleaf or spinach. The result is a thick, hearty soup enjoyed with swallows such as pounded yam, fufu, or eba.