West Africa · Soup
Crincrin (Viscous Jute Leaf Braised Soup)
A classic southern Beninese mucilaginous soup of finely chopped jute leaves simmered with dried smoked shrimp, locust beans, and rich smoked catfish.
The story
Revered among the Fon, Adja, and Goun peoples of southern Benin, Crincrin is the classic slippery vegetable broth traditionally served over dense cornmeal swallows like Wô. The soup centers on jute mallow leaves, harvested young and chopped finely before being simmered with a pinch of potash to enhance both its vibrant green hue and mucilaginous viscosity. Historically prized for its cooling digestive properties, it is commonly infused with pungent afitin and concentrated smoked river fish.
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