Grains of paradise are native to the coastal areas of Africa;s Gulf of Guinea which includes today's countries of Liberia, Ivory Coast, Togo, Nigeria, and Cameroon where grains of paradise have a long-standing record of ethnobotanical use. Before the spice trade routes from Western Europe to the East Indies were established, a lively trade of grains of paradise, cubeb, and long peppers existed. Oceanic travels to the Spice Islands by the Portuguese, Dutch, and English in the 17th century diminished the value and importance of grains of paradise in face of competition of black pepper, clove, mace, and nutmeg.
Outside West Africa, grains of paradise are only a minor spice commodity, finding use as a flavoring in alcoholic beverages such as beer, ale, and gin. It is an ingredient in raz al hanoutâ a Moroccan spice mixture.
