Spice

Berbere

Berbere is an Ethiopian-Eritrean chilli-spice blend with fenugreek, korarima, garlic, and warm spices, foundational to wot stews. Heat and brick-red colour define it; recipes are household secrets as much as commercial mixes. Bloom in oil or niter kibbeh at the start of cooking.

Track this ingredient

Quantity

Unit

Kg Liters Whole

Note

Explore further

Style

Characteristics

Preparations

Freshly GroundPowderToastedWhole Mix

Traits

AromaticBlendedComplexEarthyFenugreekHotWarm

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 391

Amount per 100 g

Total Fat 9.23 g
Saturated Fat 1.85 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 2.77 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.61 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 42.2 mg
Salt 0.1 g
Total Carbohydrate 65 g
Dietary Fibre 25 g
Total Sugars 3 g
Complex / starch 14.1 g
Protein 12.1 g
Water 9.07 g

Detailed nutrients

Energy 391 kcal
Water 9.07 g
Carbohydrates 65 g
- Sugars 3 g
  - Monosaccharides 3.64 g
  - Disaccharides 1.56 g
- Starch 14.1 g
  - Amylose 3.54 g
  - Amylopectin 10.6 g
  - Digestible Starch 12 g
  - Resistant Starch 1.41 g
- Fibre 25 g
  - Soluble Fibre 8.34 g
  - Insoluble Fibre 15.5 g
Protein 12.1 g
- Plant Protein 9.35 g
Fat 9.23 g
- Saturated Fat 1.85 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 2.77 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 4.61 g
  - Omega-3 0.69 g
  - Omega-6 1.46 g
Vitamins 110 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.08 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.12 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 2.35 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.58 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.35 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 3.4 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 45.5 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 2.24 mg
- Vitamin K 33.3 µg
Minerals 267 mg
- Major Minerals 260 mg
  - Calcium 49 mg
  - Sodium 42.2 mg
  - Potassium 169 mg
- Trace Minerals 6.8 mg
  - Iron 1.4 mg
  - Zinc 0.4 mg
  - Iodine 5 µg
Salt 0.1 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.1 g

Vitamins

vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.08 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.12 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 2.35 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.58 · vitamin-b6: 0.35 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 3.4 · vitamin-b9-folate: 45.5 · vitamin-e: 2.24 · vitamin-k: 33.3 ·

Minerals

Sodium: 42.23 · Potassium: 169 · Calcium: 49 · Iron: 1.4 · Zinc: 0.4 · Iodine: 5 ·

Dried spices are concentrated plant tissue—fibre-heavy by weight, used in gram doses.

In the kitchen

Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Berbere.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

Butter
ChickenDoro wat
Ginger
LambEthiopian stews
Lentil
Onion

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

History

1000ET

Ethiopian highland cookery developed berbere as a core stew seasoning.

1800ET

Regional berbere heat levels and spice balances diversified across households.

1970

Diaspora communities spread berbere to global African grocery shelves.

2000

Chefs worldwide adopted berbere for roasted vegetables and meats.