Common Name: Korarima

General Information

Korarima is an aromatic, herbaceous, perennial plant producing leafy stems 1 - 2 metres tall from a rhizomatous rootstock[].
The seeds are commonly gathered from the wild for use as a spice and medicine. Virtually unknown as a food crop outside of northeast Africa, the plant is cultivated for use as a spice in Ethiopia and Eritrea[]. It is very commonly sold in local markets and is sometimes exported, mainly to ethnic communities[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

East tropical Africa - Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Uganda, Tanzania.

Habitat

Slightly shaded, more or less open sites in higher altitude rain forest at elevations from 1,350 - 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 2,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 16 - 24°c, but can tolerate 7 - 35°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,400 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 1,200 - 3,000mm[].
Prefers some shade, but can succeed in a sunny position[]. Succeeds in a fertile, humus-rich, light to medium soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7.5[].
The plant requires 3 years to first harvest and then has 7 years of economic life[].
The fruits are mature about 2 - 3 months after flowering[].

Edible Uses

Seeds - used as a spice[]. A mild, sweet flavour, it is less peppery or pungent than seed of 'Grain of Paradise' (Aframomum melegueta)[]. The seeds (usually dried, but sometimes fresh), are ground into a powder and usually mixed with other spices then used to flavour all kinds of sauces[]. They are also used to flavour coffee, tea, bread and butter[].

The fleshy fruit around the seed is edible[]. The bright red, subconical berry is up to 6cm long by 3.5 cm wide[].

Medicinal

The seeds are carminative, purgative and tonic[].

Other Uses

Strings of the fruits are sometimes used as an ornament, or as rosaries[].

About 3 - 3.5% of a pale yellow essential oil can be obtained by distillation of the dried powdered fruits[].

Propagation

Seed -
Division of rhizomes.

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