Maggi® Cubes - African

You will find Maggi Cubes called for in almost every West African recipe composed in recent times. These cubes are used incessantly in both restaurants and homes - except in regions too poor to afford them. They have almost completely replaced the traditional flavorings of Ogiri (fermented sesame seeds or other oil seeds) and Sumbala / Dawadawa (fermented locust bean seeds). While convenience is a major issue here, another major issue is the increasing difficulty of obtaining the locust bean seeds needed for Sumbala, and their ever increasing cost. Additionally, there is Nestlé's ubiquitous and bright red and yellow advertising of the product.

These cubes are rather small, about 0.55 inches / 14 mm on a side. Ingredients:   Iodized Salt, Sugar, Flavor Enhancers (Monosodium Glutamate, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate), Corn Starch, Vegetable fat (Palm), Hydrolysed Soya Beans, Water, Color (Ammonia Caramel), Onion, Ferric Pyrophosphate, Emulsifier (Soya Lecithin), Spice Extracts (White Pepper, Chili, Clove) Flavoring, Yeast Extract.

More on Sauces & Condiments

Buying:

Substitutes:

• Good Flavorful Stock

  is the best substitute. See our page Stock / Broth - General Method for how to make it and how to have it conveniently on hand.

• Maggi Seasoning:

    This bottled seasoning is available worldwide, including North America. About 1/2 tablespoon per Maggi Cube will do. We find that bottled in China to be closer in flavor and color than that bottled in Mexico (different ingredients).

• Sumbala / Dawadawa:

    This is one of the flavorings Maggi Cubes replaced. Traditionally made from Locust Bean seeds, it is now often made from Soybeans, which are far more available and easier to work with. This version is almost identical to Burmese Shan Tua Nao, for which we have an easy to make recipe.

• Chinese Fermented Black Beans:

    These are also considered a good substitute, and available in any Asian market in North America, as well as many regular supermarkets.

• Ogiri:

    This is another flavoring replaced by Maggi Cubes. It is traditionally Sesame Seeds boiled and fermented wrapped in a banana leaf or other native leaf. Today it is often made from less expensive oil seeds like Egusi or Fluted Pumpkin. We hope to have a recipe and write-up soon. This product is reputed to be very smelly.