Ferments & funk · Paste
Iru paste
Also called fermented locust bean paste, dawadawa paste, ogiri, iru
A pungent Nigerian fermented locust bean seasoning, sold as wet paste or paste-in-a-tub in African grocers; it gives jollof its deep savoury funk.
What can replace it
- T2 · GoodFermented black beans
Chinese douchi is saltier and less fermented-sour, so the funky bass note changes character.
- T3 · In a pinchBouillon powder
You get seasoning without any funk at all, which flattens the dish's depth. (use 0.5× the amount)
- T3 · In a pinchMiso
Miso brings umami but none of the fermented locust bean smell, so the jollof tastes more generically savoury.
Cook with Iru paste