Ugba is a tree in Africa that produces Ugba seeds, which are referred to as beans.
Once harvested, the beans are allowed to ferment for about 5 days.
They are used to flavour soups, and in a traditional spicy salad called Oil Bean Salad or “ukpaka”, for which they are just lightly steamed.
The beans also used as a snack food.
The leaves from the tree are very bitter. They are used in some East Nigerian cooking.
In North America and Europe, you can buy frozen Ugba beans in specialty African food stores.
Literature & Lore
The tree is also called “oil bean tree” in English.