A Trip To Abeokuta and My Discovery on “Ogbono” Soup
You must have heard of “Ogbono soup.” Right?
However, apart from just hearing about it, you also need to have a taste of this special delicacy.
Ogbono is a common soup and one of the people’s favorites in Nigeria (especially the eastern part).
With little money you can make ogbono soup, you can as well decide to make it in an expensive way (with all sorts of stocks, proteins and vegetables).
You must be wondering, are we here to learn how to make ogbono soup or what exactly?
I'm not sure either, but one certain thing is, reading this would make you thank me later.
Now, grab a seat and some popcorn, as I share my first ogbono soup making experience with you.
Enjoy!
It’s Story Time…
To be frank, I’m a big fan of ogbono soup, I eat it at every opportunity I get and I’ve always fantasized about trying it on my own one day.
On this fateful day, I was at a family friend’s house in Abeokuta.
I was asked; Do you know how to make ogbono? Without hesitation I replied “Yes.”
Although I haven't tried it before and I was partially anxious but ogbono soup shouldn't be a big deal for a kitchen pro like me.
So I got all the basic ingredients and marched into the kitchen. I was really confident in myself (gallivanting round the kitchen like Chef Chioma).
Mind you, I used the frying method for the soup, with all the sizzling sound and aroma (like something that would come out nice).
Guess what, My ogbono soup was just sitting pretty and static inside the pot. It refused to draw (sad mode activated) and Ogbono soup is not hard to cook oo, so what went wrong?
Cries in crocodile tears….
Well well well, probably it will draw after dishing it (gave myself false hopes, laughs) so I dished it with hot (eba).
Oh you think that’s the end? I wish so too….
But guess what? Another shocker, the taste was nothing to write home about, it was as bitter as pure bitter leaf.
My eyes were soaked with tears, but as a big girl that I am, I wouldn't cry over something that wasn’t even my fault also it’s my first trial, so it's not a big deal to flop.
So I had to invite them over another day to have a taste of my other meals and trust me to always deliver (winks).... They licked the plates.
In your opinion what could have caused this hullabaloo? Has it ever happened to you before?
This question is to my food gurus, I will be happy to receive your response after reading this email.
Enough of the storytelling, what’s this ogbono soup and what does it have to offer?
Let's Talk About This Miracle Seed…
Ogbono soup is made from dried grounded “African mango seed.”
Apart from being delicious, Ogbono soup contains essential nutrients like dietary fiber, iron, ascorbic acid, magnesium, calcium sodium, protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals.
You might actually think you are eating ogbono for its delicious taste. Meanwhile it offers numerous benefits to the body. Though, these benefits are quite unknown to most people.
So…What’s Special About This Soup?
It helps increase the good cholesterol and removes the bad cholesterol from your blood. This in turn helps improve heart function and also regulates blood pressure.
Eating ogbono soup also regulates your blood sugar level and helps reduce risk of diabetes.
Amazingly, Ogbono soup also works for weight loss (yeah, you read it right) when eaten regularly, combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise it helps reduce body fat.
But how does it do this?
It increases the level of leptin hormone (appetite suppressant) which sends a signal to your brain and makes you feel less interested in food. The fiber it contains also makes you feel full longer preventing overeating and obesity.
Its other benefits include:
The dietary fiber it contains helps support digestive function and prevent constipation.
The vitamins and antioxidants in ogbono soup help support the immune system and reduce inflammation.
The protein it contains help in tissue repair and tissue growth.
All these intriguing benefits from an often overlooked soup, isn’t that amazing?
Now, Let’s Wrap It Up Here
If ogbono soup isn’t one of your favorites, it’s high time you add it to your list and to avoid making an unpalatable ogbono soup like in my case, make sure you know the basic tips;
Ensure you buy fresh quality ogbono seed from a reliable vendor and blend it yourself and avoid storing your ogbono for too long, this might make it taste soapy and not draw.
Make sure your ogbono is well cooked, if not it might taste bitter.
Also, the ratio of your water to ogbono must be in the correct quantity; the water must not be too much nor little likewise the ogbono. Therefore moderacy for both is key.
Finally, make use of fresh palm oil, veggies and proteins to make the benefits complete.
Did you say thank you? You’re welcome.
Mind you, these tips are just what I discovered from my first trial. I still look forward to your contributions.
My moral lesson: Make enquiries before trying something new because every little detail matters. What’s yours? I will be anticipating your response.
Dropping another unraveled health mystery in your mail soon, probably with a good turn out story this time.
Stay bright 🥳!