10 Hard-to-Find African Ingredients You Can Now Get at L’Afrique Market
African cuisine is as diverse and flavorful as the continent itself, rich with indigenous spices, traditional grains, aromatic herbs, and rare ingredients you can’t find just anywhere. But for food lovers, home chefs, and African diasporans craving the taste of home, sourcing these rare items can be a challenge. That’s where L’Afrique Market steps in.
L’Afrique Market bridges the gap between continents, bringing you hard-to-find ingredients from West, East, Central, and Southern Africa, as well as the Caribbean. Whether you're making jollof rice, egusi soup, callaloo, kelewele, or fufu, L'Afrique has everything you need to bring the taste of home to your kitchen.
Here are 10 rare and unique African ingredients you can now find at L’Afrique Market, plus why you should make this your go-to destination for authentic African cooking.
1. Egusi Seeds (Melon Seeds)
A staple in many West African dishes, egusi seeds are rich in protein and bring a nutty, earthy flavor to soups and stews like Egusi soup and Ogbono. Sourced directly from Nigeria and Ghana, L’Afrique Market offers shelled, whole, and ground versions.
Photo by: istockphoto
2. African Locust Beans (Iru, Dawadawa, or Ogiri)
Fermented locust beans are an essential umami bomb in Nigerian, Ghanaian, and Senegalese cooking. Their pungent aroma might surprise you, but the depth of flavor they bring to dishes like Ogbono and Efo Riro is unmatched.
Photo by: safoodnspices
3. Scotch Bonnet Peppers (Fresh & Dried)
Not to be confused with habaneros, scotch bonnets have a fruity fire that’s vital in jerk marinades, pepper soup, and West African stews. L’Afrique carries both fresh seasonal stock and dried varieties for year-round use.
Photo by: istockphoto
4. Bitterleaf (Fresh and Dried)
Used in soups like Ofe Onugbu and Ndolé, bitterleaf has detoxifying properties and a unique, slightly astringent taste. At L’Afrique, you’ll find sun-dried and pre-washed frozen options sourced directly from Cameroon and Nigeria.
Photo by: Afrilege
5. Baobab Powder
Baobab powder is derived from the fruit of the baobab tree, native to Africa. It’s rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. It can be added to smoothies and juices and used for baking. Baobab powder is a superfood that boosts energy and supports digestive health.
6. Fonio (Acha Grain)
Hailed as a supergrain, fonio is gluten-free, nutrient-dense, and quick-cooking. A staple in Mali, Guinea, and Senegal, it’s perfect for breakfast porridge, side dishes, or couscous alternatives.
Photo by: istockphoto
7. Uziza Leaves and Seeds
Uziza leaves bring a peppery, slightly minty kick to traditional soups like Nsala or Oha. Both the seeds and the dried leaves are available at L’Afrique in beautifully labeled spice jars and vacuum-sealed pouches.
Photo by: HTSplus
8. Ground Crayfish (Dried Crustacean Powder)
Used as a seasoning in everything from okra soup to pepper sauce, African ground crayfish delivers oceanic umami in a pinch. The flavor is intense, so a little goes a long way.
Photo by: istockphoto
9. Palm Oil (Red Oil)
The soul of many African dishes, red palm oil is bold, flavorful, and vitamin-rich. L’Afrique Market offers top-grade, unrefined palm oil imported from trusted West African producers, with no additives or bleaching agents.
Photo by: istockphoto
10. Callaloo Leaves (Jamaican Spinach)
L’Afrique doesn’t only focus on mainland Africa, it celebrates the Caribbean too! Callaloo, often compared to spinach or taro leaves, is a must-have for Caribbean stews, soups, and even patties.
Photo by: seasonedskill
Why These Ingredients Matter
African and Caribbean cooking is deeply rooted in tradition. Every spice, every leaf, every grain tells a story, of ancestors, of culture, of resilience. Many of these ingredients aren’t just flavor-makers; they’re carriers of identity. L’Afrique Market understands this deeply and curates its products with care and cultural integrity.
Where to Buy Authentic African Ingredients?
If you’ve ever struggled to source authentic African ingredients, or settled for diluted substitutes, your search ends at L’Afrique Market. Whether you’re a first-generation African cooking for your family or a culinary explorer wanting to taste West Africa for the first time, L’Afrique has your back.