Two of those quiet heroes are plantain flour and pap powder.

They’re comfortable, familiar staples. They store well, cook fast, and can be turned into breakfast, lunch, or supper without drama. In this guide, we’ll walk through how these two products can help you build a calmer, more organised pantry that still feels warm and generous.

What Makes a Pantry “Smart”?

A “smart” pantry is one that:

• Stretches your budget without sacrificing quality
• Reduces food stress on days when you’re tired or busy
• Leans on clean ingredients, not shortcuts full of additives
• Turns into real meals quickly, not just snacks

Plantain flour and pap powder tick all of those boxes. Both are dry staples with good shelf life, both are made from well-known local crops, and both can be used in multiple ways throughout the week.

Meet the First Staple: Plantain Flour

Plantain flour is made from peeled, dried and finely milled unripe plantains. That’s it. No flavourings, no bleaching, no preservatives  just properly processed plantain.

Because of how it is milled, good plantain flour:

• Cooks into smooth swallow without endless stirring
• Works as a thickener for soups and stews
• Can be used for pancakes, flatbreads and simple bakes
• Blends into smoothies or baby-friendly meals when used carefully with liquids

If you want a version that’s already finely milled and easy to work with, you can stock

Smooth Plantain Flour (Elubo Ogede)

in your pantry. It’s designed to cook quickly into soft amala-style meals and also doubles as a base in other recipes.

Meet the Second Staple: Pap Powder

Pap (ogi/akamu) is one of those comfort foods many people grow up with. Traditionally, it means soaking, fermenting, grinding and sieving maize — a beautiful process, but also time-consuming and messy.

Pap powder takes that same idea and makes it dry, clean and ready to cook.

A good instant pap powder:

• Has already been soaked, fermented, wet-milled and carefully dried
• Contains no unnecessary additives
• Cooks into smooth ogi in minutes
• Can set into eko (firm pap) when cooled in a container

Instead of managing wet buckets in the kitchen, you scoop from a pouch and prepare only what you need. For a ready-to-use option, keep

Nature Powered Instant Pap Powder (Ogi/Akamu)

in the cupboard.

Why These Two Belong in a Smarter Pantry

1. They are budget-friendly multitaskers

With just plantain flour and pap powder, you can make:

• swallow
• breakfast pap bowls
• light evening porridge
• snacks and pancakes
• simple puddings or desserts

That means fewer different products to buy, and less chance of random items sitting at the back of the cupboard untouched.

2. They respect your time and energy

On days when you don’t feel like cooking something elaborate, these staples step in:

• Plantain flour turns into swallow in minutes.
• Pap powder becomes a warm, soothing bowl of food with just hot water and a little stirring.

You still get a meal that feels “proper”, but without spending an hour in the kitchen.

3. They’re easy to store and plan around

Both products are dry, lightweight and compact. With airtight storage and a cool space, they last well and are easy to buy ahead. That means:

• You can shop once and cook for weeks.
• You always have a backup plan for guests, late dinners or busy mornings.

Simple Meals You Can Build with Plantain Flour and Pap Powder

1. Comfort swallow and soup

Cook plantain flour into a soft, smooth swallow and serve with your favourite vegetable and protein-rich soup. It’s a familiar, filling meal that feels special without being complicated.

Pantry base:

Smooth Plantain Flour (Elubo Ogede)

2. Quick breakfast pap bowl

Prepare instant pap with hot water, then finish with toppings like:

• a drizzle of milk
• a sprinkle of groundnuts or seeds
• a spoon of honey or date syrup, if you enjoy a touch of sweetness

For an even more layered flavour, add a spoon of

Carefully Dried Groundnuts

or

Nature Powered Groundnut Flour

on top.

Pantry base:

Nature Powered Instant Pap Powder (Ogi/Akamu)

3. Plantain flour pancakes

On slower mornings or weekends, whisk plantain flour with eggs, a little oil, milk or water and a pinch of salt to make simple pancakes.

Serve with fruit, nut butter or a light sauce. Use

Smooth Plantain Flour (Elubo Ogede)

for a smooth batter and soft texture.

4. Evening pap for soft, gentle meals

Some evenings call for light food  something warm, cosy and easy on the stomach. Pap is perfect for those moments. Make it thicker if you prefer something more filling, or slightly lighter if you just want something warm before bed.

Pantry base:

Nature Powered Instant Pap Powder (Ogi/Akamu)

5. Thickening soups and stews

Both plantain flour and pap powder can be used in small amounts to thicken certain dishes:

• A teaspoon or two of plantain flour whisked into water and stirred in at the end
• A small amount of pap powder added carefully to soups for extra body

Start with very small quantities and build up until you get the texture you want.

How to Store These Pantry Staples Well

To keep your plantain flour and pap powder fresh for as long as possible:

• Transfer to airtight containers after opening.
• Keep them in a cool, dry cupboard, away from direct sunlight.
• Use clean, dry spoons every time you scoop.
• Label with the date you opened the pack so you can use older stock first.

If you like a very tidy pantry, you can pour both into clear jars and keep the original Green Unison pouches folded nearby so you always have the product details and cooking tips within reach.

Building the Rest of Your Smart Pantry

Once plantain flour and pap powder are in place, you can slowly add other practical staples around them, such as:

• 
  Finely Milled Corn Flour
  
  for tuwo, baking and thickening
• 
  Nature Powered Groundnut Flour
  
  for flavourful toppings and quick sauces
• 
  Dried Grains
  
  if you enjoy making some of your own flours at home

Together, these create a pantry that is simple, flexible and ready for almost anything.

Where to Buy Plantain Flour and Pap Powder

When you’re ready to restock or upgrade your pantry staples, you can order directly from the Green Unison shop:

• 🛒 Order:
  
  Smooth Plantain Flour (Elubo Ogede)
  
• 🛒 Order:
  
  Nature Powered Instant Pap Powder (Ogi/Akamu)
  
• 🧺 Explore all flours:
  
  Nature Powered Flours Collection
  

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