Olu Olu vs Africa King side by side
| Olu Olu Poundo Iyan | Africa King Pounded Iyan | |
|---|---|---|
| Pack sizes we sell | 4kg | 1.5kg and 4kg |
| Price at RegiPay Stores | £28.99 | From £24.00 |
| Value per kg | £7.25/kg | £7.23/kg (4kg), £16.00/kg (1.5kg) |
| Ingredients (from the pack) | Dehydrated yam flour, BHT preservative, sodium sulphite | Not yet transcribed in our records — check the pack |
| Allergens (from the pack) | Contains sulphur dioxide / sulphites | Not yet confirmed in our records — check the pack |
| Country of origin | Nigeria | Check the pack |
| Best for | Households that eat swallow several times a week | Trying a brand for the first time, or cooking for one or two |
We have not run a blind taste test, so we will not crown a winner on taste. What the table shows is what we can stand behind: the pack sizes and prices we actually sell, worked out per kilogram, and what is printed on the packs we have transcribed. Where a field says "check the pack", we have not yet confirmed that information from the packaging, and we would rather say so than guess.
Texture and taste
Olu Olu is one of the most widely stocked pounded yam flours in UK African shops, and its reputation is consistency: it is known for cooking up smooth and pale with a familiar flavour, and it is forgiving for less experienced cooks. Its pack lists sodium sulphite, a common preservative in dried yam flour, so it carries a sulphites allergen warning — important if anybody in your house reacts to sulphites.
Africa King is another brand you will see in UK African shops and online stores. The practical difference for most buyers is choice of size: the smaller bag lets you try it without committing to four kilograms. Judge it the way you would judge any poundo — see below.
Value for money
Bigger bags are almost always cheaper per kilogram, so compare like with like: the 4kg bags against each other. If you eat pounded yam every week, the 4kg size of either brand is the better buy. If you are not sure you will like a brand, the small bag costs more per kilogram but less to find out. Pounded yam flour keeps well in a cool, dry cupboard once the bag is properly sealed — damp flour cooks badly.
How to decide in your own kitchen
- Read the ingredients: the best flours are led by yam, with a short list.
- Rub a pinch between your fingers: it should feel soft and powdery, not gritty.
- Look at the colour: bright white to pale cream, even, without dark specks.
- Cook both the same way, with the same water, on the same day.
- Pull a piece apart: good pounded yam is smooth and slightly stretchy, never gluey.
Choose Olu Olu if you want a dependable 4kg everyday bag, you already know you like it, or you cook pounded yam for a family several times a week — and nobody at home reacts to sulphites.
Choose Africa King if you want to try a different brand without committing to a large bag, or you are cooking for one or two people.
Our longer best pounded yam flour guide covers more brands and what to look for on any bag.
Frequently asked questions
Which pounded yam flour is best in the UK?
There is no single best brand for everybody. Olu Olu Poundo Iyan is the familiar 4kg family bag; Africa King Pounded Iyan also comes in a smaller bag. Cook each once and keep the one your family prefers.
Does Olu Olu Poundo Iyan contain sulphites?
Yes. The pack we sell lists sodium sulphite and declares sulphur dioxide / sulphites. Always check the packaging on the product you receive, because recipes can change.
Where can I buy Olu Olu and Africa King pounded yam flour?
Both are available from RegiPay Stores, with delivery across the UK.