Duaba Afro Foods Ghana Dried Waakye Leaves

Duaba Afro Foods Ghana Dried Waakye Leaves (Sorghum/Millet Leaves) | For Authentic Waakye Rice & Beans | Natural Red-Brown Colouring

The leaves that give Waakye its iconic colour — Ghana’s most beloved rice and beans dish starts here 🇬🇧

Waakye. The dish that defines Accra street food. The rice and beans combination with that unmistakeable reddish-brown colour, that distinctive earthy aroma, and that deeply satisfying flavour that no amount of food colouring can replicate. The secret is not a dye. The secret is not an additive. The secret is the leaves — dried sorghum or millet leaves, also known as Waakye leaves, that are boiled alongside the rice and beans to create that natural, deep, characteristic colour and flavour.

Duaba Afro Foods Ghana Dried Waakye Leaves brings you the genuine article — whole dried sorghum/millet leaves, sourced from Ghana, ready to boil into the most authentic Waakye you can make in the UK. Authentic African ingredients, delivered to you.

The Ingredient

🌿 Dried Sorghum/Millet Leaves (Waakye Leaves) — whole dried leaves from the sorghum or millet plant (Sorghum bicolor / Pennisetum glaucum), sun-dried to preserve their natural pigments and aromatic compounds. When boiled, these leaves release a deep reddish-brown natural colour and a distinctive, slightly earthy aroma that transforms plain rice and beans into authentic Ghanaian Waakye.

Waakye Leaves — Whole Leaves vs Powder

• Whole Dried Leaves (this product) — the traditional format. Boil the whole leaves directly with your rice and beans, then remove before serving. Produces the most authentic, deepest colour and flavour
• Waakye Leaves Powder — a convenient ground alternative for quicker preparation — also available at Duaba Afro Foods

What It Does

✅ Gives Waakye its characteristic deep reddish-brown colour — completely naturally ✅ Adds a distinctive, authentic earthy aroma and flavour ✅ 100% natural colouring — no artificial dyes or food colouring needed ✅ The traditional method used by Waakye sellers across Accra and Ghana for generations ✅ Naturally vegan — 100% plant-based ✅ Naturally gluten-free ✅ No artificial additives, no preservatives

How to Make Authentic Waakye

🍚 Classic Waakye Method:

1. Soak your black-eyed beans (or red beans) and pick over to remove any debris
2. Place the soaked beans in a pot with water and a few whole Duaba Afro Foods Waakye Leaves
3. Bring to a boil and cook the beans until they begin to soften and the water takes on a deep reddish-brown colour from the leaves — this typically takes 20–30 minutes
4. Remove and discard the leaves once the desired colour has developed
5. Add your rice directly to the same coloured water and beans
6. Continue cooking until the rice and beans are fully tender, and the rice has absorbed the rich reddish-brown colour
7. Add a pinch of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) if desired — some Waakye recipes use this to deepen the colour further and soften the beans
8. Serve with the traditional Waakye accompaniments

Serve With 🌶️ Shito (Ghanaian Black Pepper Sauce) | 🥗 Gari | 🥚 Boiled Egg | 🍝 Spaghetti | 🌶️ Fresh Pepper Sauce (Shitor Din) | 🥩 Beef, Liver, or Chicken | 🍌 Fried Plantain | 🥬 Coleslaw

Brand: Duaba Afro Foods — Authentic African Ingredients, Delivered to You Ingredient: Dried Sorghum/Millet Leaves (Waakye Leaves) Naturally vegan | Naturally gluten-free | No additives | No preservatives Shipping: Delivered across the UK 🇬🇧 by Duaba Afro Foods

ℹ️ Allergen Information: Contains dried sorghum/millet leaves only. Naturally free from gluten, nuts, soya, and dairy. May contain traces of other allergens during processing — always check the product label before consuming. Usage note: Waakye leaves are for boiling and colouring purposes — remove before serving. Not intended to be eaten directly. Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight. Once opened, seal tightly and use within the recommended period.