Aframomum corrorima is a species of
flowering plant in the ginger family,
Zingiberaceae.[4] It's a herbaceous
perennial that produces leafy stems 1–2 meters tall from
rhizomatous roots.[5] The alternately-arranged leaves are dark green, 10–30 cm long and 2.5–6 cm across, elliptical to oblong in shape.[6] Pink
flowers are borne near the ground and give way to red, fleshy
fruits containing shiny brown
seeds, which are typically 3–5 mm in diameter.[7]
The spice, known as Ethiopian cardamom, false cardamom, or korarima,[2] is obtained from the plant's seeds (usually dried), and is extensively used in
Ethiopian and
Eritrean cuisine. It is an ingredient in berbere, mitmita, awaze, and other spice mixtures, and is also used to flavor
coffee.[8] Its flavor is comparable to that of the closely related Elettaria cardamomum or green cardamom.[9] In Ethiopian
herbal medicine, the seeds are used as a
tonic,
carminative, and
laxative.[10]
The plant is native to
Tanzania, western
Ethiopia[2] (in the vicinity of
Lake Tana and
Gelemso), southwestern
Sudan, western
Uganda.[2] It is
cultivated in both Ethiopia and
Eritrea,[2] although the fruits are typically harvested from wild plants.[11] The dried fruits are widely sold in markets and are relatively expensive, while fresh fruits are sold in production areas.[11]
^Amomum corrorima A.Braun, the basionym of Aframomum corrorima (A.Braun) P.C.M.Jansen, was originally described and published in Flora vol. 31, p. 95; 1848. GRIN.
"Amomum corrorima information from NPGS/GRIN". Taxonomy for Plants. NGRL, Beltsville, Maryland: USDA / ARS / NGRP. Archived from
the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
^Van Wyk, Ben-Erik (2013). Culinary Herbs and Spices of the World. The University of Chicago Press. p. 28.
ISBN978-0-226-09166-2.
^Roussel, Bernard; Verdeaux, François (April 6–10, 2003).
"Natural patrimony and local communities in ethiopia: Geographical advantages and limitations of a system of indications"(PDF). 29th Annual Spring Symposium of Centre for African Studies. Archived from
the original(PDF) on 2006-11-26. This Zingiberaceae, Aframomum corrorima (Braun) Jansen, is gathered in forests, and also grown in gardens. It is a basic spice in Ethiopia, used to flavor coffee and as an ingredient in various widely used condiments (berbere, mitmita, awaze, among others).
^Hymete, A.; Rohloff, J.; Iversen, T.‐H. (2006). "Essential oil from seeds and husks of Aframomum corrorima from Ethiopia". Flavour and Fragrance Journal. 21 (4): 642–644.
doi:
10.1002/ffj.1634. Cited in Eyob et al (2007), p. 373.