Ogiri

Ogiri // ^ⓘ is an umami flavored local seasoning or food condiment used in West Africa, with its origin linked to different ethnic groups in Nigeria, made from the fermentation of oil bearing seeds.^[1][2]

Ogiri is traditionally made from the fermentation of egusi (melon seeds),^[3] although there are other different types of Ogiri made from different seed substrates, such as sesame castor oil beans (Ogiri Igbo/ Ogiri Isi), fluted pumpkin seeds, watermelon seeds, and peanuts, all produced at lower frequencies.^{[4][5]: p. 4}

Among the Yorubas, it is also called Eragiri,^[6] (Yoruba: Ògìrì, Ẹ̀ràgìrì) and used in cooking particularly amongst the Ijebu, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Oyo,^[7] and Igbo people.^[5] Contrary to popular opinion especially amongst content creating chefs and foodies, Ogiri and Iru are not the same condiment. Ogiri is an umami flavoring made by fermenting oil seeds, such as sesame/beniseed (yọnmọti), melon, castor beans, etc, as described in the Yoruba lexicon published in the year 1843 and other sources.^[5] Iru on the other hand is made of locust bean seeds.^[8] This is supported by authoritative evidences from the 19th century, showing separate entries for both words in the Yoruba lexicon, long before its (Ogiri) adoption into the Igbo lexicon which ultimately suggests linguistics borrowing from the former into the latter owing to migration and cultural exchange.^[9][10]

The process and product of making Ogiri is similar to those of; Iru, douchi, and other fermented food products. Its smell is similar to cheese, miso, or stinky tofu.

Ogiri is best known in West Africa. It is popular among the Yoruba,^[11] Igbo people^[12][13], and Including among the Krio of Sierra Leone who call it by the same name – Ogiri saro,^[14][15]. Ogiri as known among the Igbo people of Nigeria is different and similar to Iru Pete, which is iru in its mashed form.^{[citation needed]} A similar condiment known locally as Okpehe, Okpei, Okpiye, or Ogiri Okpei is native to the Igala and Idoma people of Nigeria's Middle Belt, it is however made from African mesquite bean seeds, specifically Anonychium.^[5]