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Achi seed is botanically called “Brachystegia Eurycoma”, It is commonly used in the eastern part of Nigeria by the Igbos, the Akwa-Ibom/calabars. When the seed is grounded, the Achi powder is added to traditional soups and dishes.
The Igbos commonly call it Achi while the Akwa-Ibom/calabars call it “Akpa”. The seed is dry, flat & round in shape. It is an emulsifier and thickener for traditional soups in Nigeria. Once ground it is white brownish powder in colour.
Achi powder from Achi seeds botanically known as Brachystegia Eurycoma is a great African seed for soup thickening, herbal products and medicinal purposes. Achi contains essential vitamins and minerals and adds an iconic flavour to your meals.
Achi soup is African soup recipe prepared with different vegetables such as oha leaves, okazi, leaves, ugu leaves, bitter leaves etc, it can be served with pounded yam, yam flour, fufu, eba or semolina. Achi soup is one is one of such delicious soups to enjoy. As a thickener for soups, it can be used in place of ukpo, yam flour, cocoyam, or ofor etc. The achi seed is dried and ground to the finest consistency and can be added to bitter leaves soup, ogbono soup, vegetable soup, egusi soup, oha soup stew, or sauce.
Achi Powder as Thickening Agent
A thickening agent or thickener is a substance which can increase the viscosity of a liquid without substantially changing its other properties. Edible thickeners such as achi, ofor, cocoyam, ukpo, yam powder etc are commonly used to thicken sauces and soups without altering their taste.
Important Benefits of Achi Powder
- It is an excellent soup thickener
- Adds an iconic flavour to your soups
- Gives meals the perfect tasty and fresh flavours
- Highly medicinal
- Excellent seasoning ingredient
- Excellent source of anti-oxidants
- Good for the preparation of soups, stews, and sauces
- Nourishing and rich in vitamins
Ingredients for making Achi soup
- goat meat
- assorted meat
- medium-sized kpomo
- stockfish
- smoked fish
- Ground crayfish
- seasoning cubes
- chopped onion
- achi powder
- uziza
- ogiri
- palm oil
- cameroon pepper or chili pepper
- Salt to taste
According to some researchers, Achi contains 10.52% protein, 2.50% ash, 8.70 crude fibre, 8.50% moisture content, 8.48% edible fat and 61.30% carbohydrate. These nutrients are required for proper functioning of the human body system. Crude fibre is very effective in reducing blood cholesterol levels and moderating glucose response in diabetics.
Enjoying achi as a thickener daily is highly nutritious. The local soup thickeners are the most nutritive part of the plant, well known to contain a significant source of vitamin C, magnesium, protein, vitamin B6 and provitamin A as beta-carotene.
