Grains of Selim are the seeds of a shrubby tree (Xylopia aethiopica) found in tropical regions of Africa. The seeds have a musky flavor and are used as a spice in a manner similar to black pepper, and as a flavoring agent that defines café Touba, the dominant style of coffee in Senegal.
It is also known as Senegal pepper, Ethiopian pepper, and (historically) Moor pepper and Negro pepper. It also has many names in native languages of Africa, the most common of which is diarr or djarr in Wolof (this is the name used on most packages of café Touba). It is called etso in the Ewe language of Ghana and Togo. It is sometimes referred to as African pepper or Guinea pepper, but these are ambiguous terms that may refer to Ashanti pepper and grains of paradise, among others.