Iru Locust Beans: West Africa’s Fermented Secret Finds a Wider Table
Lift the lid from a simmering pot of efo riro, and a pungent, savory note escapes—iru locust beans at work. Long considered the umami backbone of Yoruba cooking, iru now intrigues food technologists for its fermentation profile and health benefits. Online shelves bring this once‑regional seasoning to home cooks who crave depth without synthetic additives. […]