Review on Korarima (Aframomum Corrorima (Braun) P.C.M. Jansen) Research Achievements, Challenges and Future Prospective in Ethiopia

Abstract

Aframomum corrorima is a species in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. The spice, known as korarima, Ethiopian cardamom, or false cardamom, is obtained from the plant's seeds (usually dried), and is extensively used in Ethiopian cuisine (Braun, 2011). It is an ingredient in berbere, mitmita, awaze, and other spice mixtures, and is also used to flavor coffee (Bernard R. and François V., 2003). In Ethiopian herbal medicine, the seeds are used as a tonic, carminative, and laxative (Bernard R. and François V., 2003). The plant is native to Tanzania, western Ethiopia (in the vicinity of Lake Tana and Gelemso), south western Sudan, western Uganda(Braun, 2011). As indigenous spice, Aframomum corrorima grows in various parts of the country; Kaffa, Jimma, East and West Wollega, Sidamo, Bale, South and North Omo, Illubabour, East and West Gojam, Gamugofa, etc. (Jansen, 1981; Edossa, 1998; Simegn et al., 2016).