ingredient
Iru and dawadawa: buying fermented locust-bean seasoning
Learn the difference between plain iru and seasoning blends, how wet and dried forms behave, and what a substitute changes.
AI editorial review: 2026-10-22
Start with the ingredient list
Iru is a fermented locust-bean condiment used for a strong savory note in soups and stews. It is a seasoning, not a pot of ordinary dried beans. Burlap & Barrel’s product, sourced with Tunde Wey, lists fermented Parkia biglobosa beans and describes a dried, loose-bean form.
The word locust here refers to a tree, not an insect. Buy the prepared culinary condiment. This guide does not provide a home-fermentation method or suggest substituting raw tree seeds.
Sources: [1]
Dawadawa is a useful search term, not a formula
Dawadawa or dadawa may lead you to a closely related fermented locust-bean seasoning, but names do not guarantee an identical package. Ndudu by Fafa’s DawaDawa product, for example, combines fermented locust beans with additional spices and herbs.
Check whether a product is plain beans, a paste, a dried cake, powder or a seasoning blend. Check added salt and other ingredients too. Regional condiment names overlap, and a broad retailer list of aliases does not establish that every product called ogiri or ugba is made from the same seed.
Match the preparation to the form
For dried loose iru, the supplier may advise softening in hot water or adding it to a moist dish. A wet preparation brings different moisture and intensity. Measure the form the recipe names; a spoonful of compact powder does not necessarily equal a spoonful of whole beans.
Olu Olu suggests adding its iru during cooking so it blends into the dish; Burlap & Barrel also describes adding its product with aromatics. Follow the chosen recipe and the actual packet. Do not assume rinsing, soaking or cooking times transfer unchanged between brands and forms.
If you cannot find iru
Where iru is optional, leaving it out is an honest choice: the dish loses some fermented aroma. Lola Osinkolu’s egusi instructions allow relying on stock or seasoning when locust beans are absent. Taste before adding more salt.
Bouillon, miso and mushroom seasonings can all add savory flavor, but they are not flavor duplicates or automatic equal-volume replacements for iru. A substitute may add salt or introduce soy, wheat or other allergens. If you use one, describe the result as an adaptation and adjust the seasoning gradually.
Store the product you actually bought
Retain the label and obey the maker’s refrigeration, freezing or dry-storage instructions after opening. Dried beans, a refrigerated wet condiment and a jarred blend should not share an invented shelf life. Ask the supplier if directions are absent.
A pronounced fermented aroma is expected, but it cannot certify safety. Do not use compromised packaging, visible mold or a product that was kept outside its stated storage conditions. Check the full ingredient and allergen label whenever buying a new packet.
Research sources
- Burlap & Barrel with Tunde Wey — Iru (Fermented Locust Beans) (checked 2026-10-22)
- Ndudu by Fafa — DawaDawa Seasoning Blend (checked 2026-10-22)
- Olu Olu Foods — Iru Locust Beans (checked 2026-10-22)
- Lola Osinkolu — Best Egusi Soup (checked 2026-10-22)
- US FDA — Have Food Allergies? Read the Label (checked 2026-10-22)