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Egusi refers to the seeds of a highly nutritious type of watermelon found widely in Africa. It is also called Agushi (Ghana), Ikpoghiri (Itsekiri, Nigeria) or Ibara (Congolese). It is called sesame seed in french speaking regions of the world. They grow on dry land, and have a light brown shell or husk covering the whitish seed. They look like the pumpkin seed in appearance, and are often swapped for them where not available.
Egusi prominently features in most african foods, especially Ghanaian, Nigerian, Liberian and Congolese soups. They are very rich in protein and oils.
Egusi is very high in nutritional value. It is made up of 30 - 40 percent and about the same proportion in oil. The oil is cholesterol free. About 78 percent of the fat is unsaturated fatty acid, which is protective to the heart. In terms of vitamins, it contains alphatocopherol, a component of vitamin E that helps in maintaining smooth young skin and good fertility. It also contains palmitic, stearic and oleic acids, very small amount of carbohydrate and calcium.
Nigerians call it Egusi, Ghanaians call it Agushi, while Congolese and Burundis call it Kokoliko)