Ponmo Ijebu Smoked Dried Cow Skin

Ponmo Ijebu is one of those ingredients that instantly signals a proper Nigerian pot of soup is on the way.

What it is: Ponmo Ijebu is cow skin that has been carefully singed and smoke-dried in the style associated with the Ijebu people of southwestern Nigeria. The smoking process gives it a deep brown colour, a distinctive smoky aroma and a firmer, chewier bite than plain white ponmo.

Why customers love it: Shoppers love its satisfying, chewy texture and the way it soaks up whatever soup or stew it is cooked in, adding body and a rustic, savoury depth that few other ingredients can match.

How to use it: Soak in warm water until softened, then clean, cut into pieces and add to soups and stews such as efo riro, ayamase, ofada stew, pepper soup or egusi soup.

A taste of home: In Yoruba households, ponmo has long been treated as a delicacy in its own right rather than a filler — the Ijebu smoking style in particular is prized for the extra chew and flavour it brings to a pot of soup shared at family gatherings.

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place or refrigerate after opening. Once soaked and cooked, refrigerate leftovers and use within a few days.