Maggi Alternatives: The Best 3 Healthier Maggi Substitutes
Maggi Alternatives: The Best 3 Healthier Maggi Substitutes
Analyzing the Traditional Alternatives to Maggi Seasoning Cubes in Nigerian Cooking
In Nigerian cooking, Maggi seasoning cubes have not always been so prominent. In reality, the first one was invented in 1869, when a Swiss industrialist named Julius Maggi set out to find a low-cost solution for people to prepare nutritious meals.
Lentils, beans, and peas were pounded into a fine powder for the first bouillon cubes. Soon after, he created the beef broth cube, which is now extremely popular in Nigeria.
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Nestle’s acquisition of Maggi in 1947 paved the way for global expansion, and the company delved into the Nigerian market, where it soon became a hit. In a fast-growing, practically independent Nigeria, cooking with spice cubes has become the peak of refinement.
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Maggi Alternatives
But do you know……
Our Mothers, On the Other Hand, Think That If You Can’t Cook Without Seasoning Cubes, You Can’t Cook at All.
Today, it’s difficult to find a Nigerian recipe that doesn’t include these umami-packed cubes.
Maggi cube is a flavor enhancer or bouillon that is available in cubes, powder, sauce, or in packet form. Maggi is a brand, and Knorr is the nearest competitor.
Furthermore, it is common knowledge that excessive use of these products results in an excess of sodium, which can lead to high blood pressure and other health problems.
Before Maggi became popular, West African cooks employed healthier Maggi alternatives in their cooking before Maggi became popular. Instead of using bouillon cubes in your cooking, there are healthier alternatives.
We adore Maggi, but here are some healthier Maggi alternatives to try in your cooking instead.
- Fermented Oil Seeds.
According to research, adding fermented oil seeds like ogiri, dawadawa, and iru to your cooking adds nutritious value to the dish. However, bouillon cubes add no nutritive value to the cuisine and actually make it less healthful.
Minerals, protein, probiotics, and fiber have been discovered in fermented oil seeds. Including protein and fiber in your meals keeps you fuller for longer and slows the absorption of sugars in the body, resulting in fewer insulin spikes and a lower risk of diabetes. Probiotics aid digestion by preserving and restoring good bacteria in the intestine. Treatment and prevention of:
- Diarrhea
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Ulcerative colitis
- Recurrence of bladder cancer
- Infection of the digestive tract caused by Clostridium difficile
- Pylori (the cause of ulcers)
- Infection
- UTIs
- Eczema in children.
- Spices and herbs-Maggi Alternatives
When it comes to herbs and spices, I don’t hold back. Using high-quality, fresh herbs and spices may elevate the flavor of your dishes to new heights!
Herbs and spices not only enhance the flavor of your meal, but they also offer anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-hypertensive qualities, according to a study.
Additionally, it may aid in boosting your body’s immunity to fight illness from bacteria and viruses. The following are some of my favorite herbs and spices to use:
- Garlic
- Lemon juice or zest if you have it
- Ground black pepper…
- Dried onion or onion powder…
- Nutritional yeast
- Balsamic vinegar,
- smoked paprika.
- Cinnamon
- Nigerian Allspices (pepper soup mix).
- Nutmeg
- Rosemary
- Ginger
- Coriander
- Apple cider vinegar is
- Alligator pepper
- Black pepper
- Sesame seeds
- Mustard leaves, seeds, etc.
- Bone Broth or Meat Stock-Maggi Alternatives
The term “meat stock” is self-explanatory. Boil some meat or bones of meat and season with the herbs and spices you just learnt about. Freeze the water along with all of the spices for later use.
I always store meat stock to use later to make jollof rice. You can always buy meat stock if you don’t have time, don’t have any plans, or need to boil some meat. To ensure that you are getting the healthiest option, I recommend purchasing organic varieties.
Bone broth may have anti-inflammatory qualities in the body, which may help to avoid osteoarthritis and intestinal inflammation, according to research.
Conclusion on Maggi Alternatives
In your cooking, there are a variety of nutritive alternatives to bouillon cubes, such as fermented oil seeds, herbs, spices, meat stock, and broth, that can truly add nutritional value to your dish, making it healthier than bouillon cubes.