How to Eat Swallow Without Feeling Bloated or Heavy (The Spice Secret)

1. Base Aromatics (The Foundation) These build depth quietly.

• The Mix: Onions, Ginger, and Garlic .

• Technique: They should be gently cooked in your oil or stock before other ingredients are added. This sets the tone for the entire pot.

2. Body Spices (The Character) These define the soup’s personality.

• The Mix: Crayfish, Dried Pepper, and Ground seeds (egusi, ogbono, iru) .

• Technique: Add these gradually. Too much at once overwhelms the soup.

3. Supporting Spices (The Balance) These support digestion and aroma without shouting.

• The Mix: Bay leaf, Black pepper, and a small pinch of cloves (optional) .

• Technique: These spices help soups feel complete and easier to digest, especially when paired with swallow.

How to Season Popular Soups for Better Digestion

1. Egusi Soup Egusi is naturally rich and heavy.

• Balanced Approach: Use Ginger and garlic at the base. Use moderate crayfish and pepper.

• The Secret: Add a Bay Leaf during simmering. It cuts through the oil and adds a lighter aroma.

2. Ogbono Soup Ogbono is slippery and dense.

• Balanced Approach: Bloom onions and ginger in oil first. Add crayfish slowly.

• The Secret: Finish with a touch of Black Pepper. Ogbono does not need many spices to taste complete.

3. Vegetable Soups (Efo/Edikaikong) Vegetables need room to shine.

• Balanced Approach: Use gentle base spices and minimal pepper.

• The Secret: Avoid heavy spice blends that overpower the greens.

Spices That Fix the "Swallow Coma"

If you want to feel lighter after eating, certain spices help soups feel lighter in the stomach.

• Ginger: Supports digestion and reduces heaviness. Best used early in the cooking process.

• Black Pepper: Adds warmth and helps activate flavors. Use sparingly.

• Bay Leaf: Often ignored, but very effective in soups. Remove before serving.

• Garlic: Supports gut balance when gently cooked.

Note: These spices should never dominate. Their role is quiet support.

A Simple Cube-Free Soup Blend

Try this blend for your next pot of Egusi or Ogbono.

• Ingredients:

  • 1. • 2 tbsp Ground Ginger

       • 1 tbsp Ground Garlic

       • 1 tsp Black Pepper

       • 2 Crushed Bay Leaves

How to use: Add small amounts during cooking. This blend should support, not replace, fresh ingredients.