It can open the way to communicate with the Orisha and Ancestors, it is the key ingredient in countless Sacrifices and literally there is no major initiation that can proceed without having a bit of its Ashé. It can also be used for protection and even to set wrong doings.
Its flavor is like no other, you can describe it as a blend of ginger, cardamom and pepper. It is hot but not terribly so. In the Orisha community Ataré is also known as Pimienta de Guinea, Alligator Pepper or Grains of Paradise; however its scientific name is Aframomun Meleguetta. Being so widely use by Olorishas it comes as no surprise that Ataré originated in the marshy coastal area of the Gulf of Guinea off Western Africa. Its flavor akin to ginger has a reason; it is part of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae).
When babies are born in Yoruba culture, they are given a small taste of Alligator Pepper (Atare) shortly after birth as part of the routine baby-welcoming process, and it is also used as an ingredient at traditional meet-and-greets. In West Africa, Alligator Pepper, with kola Nuts are used in naming ceremonies, as presentation to visiting guests, and for other social events with the kola nut rite. In virtually every West African ceremony, Alligator Peppers and kola Nuts are presented to guests at the top of the agenda and prior to any other food or entertainment. Prayers and libations are made together with kola Nuts and Alligator Pepper.
Ataré is important because its energy makes our bodies awake spirit, it increases our Ashé, it makes our words carry the heat of creation and it opens doors to the realm of the Ancestors and Orisha. However, the value of Ataré goes beyond the spiritual reasons our bright Ancestors recognized centuries ago…
It is a common ingredient in West African cuisine, where it imparts both pungency and a spicy aroma to classic West African soups (stews).The spice can also be substituted in any recipe using grains of paradise or black cardamom to provide a hotter and more pungent flavor
