Waakye (wase) Leaf

Description

Waakye leaves — also called wase leaves — are the dried sorghum leaves that give Ghana’s iconic waakye dish its characteristic deep reddish-brown colour and subtle earthy, mineral flavour. Waakye, a slow-cooked combination of rice and black-eyed beans or cowpeas, is one of Ghana’s most beloved street foods and comfort dishes, and without the leaves the colour and authenticity simply are not there. Fresh or dried leaves are added during the bean-cooking stage so their colour and flavour infuse the entire pot.

Buy waakye leaves online in the UK from Surulere Foods — we serve the Ghanaian diaspora and Pan-African cooking community across the UK with fast, tracked nationwide delivery on authentic West African ingredients.

How to use

• Add the waakye leaves to the pot when cooking the beans and water, before adding rice.
• The cooking liquid will turn a deep reddish-brown — this is the signature colour of authentic waakye.
• Remove the leaves before serving. Serve the rice and beans with waakye stew, gari, fried fish, shito, boiled egg, and spaghetti in the traditional Ghanaian style.

Storage

• Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container away from direct sunlight and moisture.

Frequently asked

What is the difference between waakye leaves and waakye leaves powder?

Whole dried leaves are steeped during cooking and then removed. The powder version is stirred directly into the pot and does not need to be removed — both give a similar colour result.