Korarima (grain)

Korarima is the seed of the plant of the same name, which is called corrorima in Ethiopia. It is also known as 'false cardamom'. It is an essential ingredient of famous Ethiopian spice blends such as berbere and mitmata.

The korarima plant belongs to the plant genus Aframomum, which comprises about fifty species that all grow on the African continent. Like mbongo and grains of paradise, it is a ginger-like plant. The plant grows like all Plants in the ginger family in a warm, humid environment and likes some shade. Naturally comes korarima at an altitude of 1,700-2,000 meters.

The plant becomes such a It is two meters tall and has elongated and pointed leaves, like bamboo. Close to the ground, trumpet-like flowers form from January to September, which appear to emerge directly from the ground. They stand on stalks on the underground rhizome.

The White to light purple flowers often fall off on the same day they appear, making way for large reddish-brown pods. The timing of this varies by location. The flowering period in Kefa, Ethiopia, for example, is from June to July. The pods ripen there in the month of September. and October.

It takes three years for a plant to yield a usable harvest. From then on, the plant can be harvested for four consecutive years. The pods are picked when ripe. They contain reddish-brown seeds in a jelly-like liquid. Only a modest portion is sold fresh; a portion is laid out in the sun to dry.

Korarima is widely available at markets in the Horn of Africa, and is quite expensive there compared to other spices and herbs. Korarima is a sought-after spice in West African cuisine, o.a. in Cameroon and Senegal. Related spices are grains of paradise (Aframomum melegueta) and Madagascar cardamom (Aframomum angustifolium). The former is fairly common, the latter very rare.

Scent and taste

In korarima, the flavors of green and big (violet) combined cardamom. Korarima is a bit sweeter. than green cardamom, and has a menthol aroma just like black cardamom. The aroma is otherwise characterized as that of nutmeg, hence the alternative name nutmeg-cardamom.

The seeds contain 1-2% essential oil, in which the main flavor components are

• alpha-humulene, (31.3%), 'hoppy' as in hop
• humulene oxide (26.4%),
• caryophyllene oxide (17.9%), spicy and woody, as cinnamon and cloves
• beta-caryophyllene (8.5%), sweetish, woody, likewise in cloves, and
• linalool (5.7%), responsible for the scents of rosewood and coriander

Korarima is less pepperig than the related corn of paradise (Aframomum melegueta). The pungency comes from zingerone, [6]-paradol, [6]-gingerol and [8]-gingerol, all characteristic of the fruits of plants in the Aframomum genus and gingers in general.

Usage

Except in combination with other spices in spice blends such as berbere and mitmata, a mixture of bird's eye chili, korarima and cloves. Korarima is used in Ethiopia both fresh and dried in wots, in numerous sauces such as chow, but also as a flavoring in (Ethiopian) coffee and tea. and bread.Other applications are:

• niter kibbeh (spiced butter),
• kitfo, raw minced meat with mimata,
• shirowat, a puree of chickpea flour and
• maafe, West African chicken in peanut sauce

Grind or crush the seeds shortly before use, after first having roasted them briefly.

Korarima is a fantastic botanical for your gin and tonic thanks to its unique aromas. With the pleasant sharpness of grains of paradise.

Features:

• 100% seeds of the Aframomum corrorima
• origin: Ethiopia

Assortment

• available in glass (60 grams), stand-up pouch and test tube (10 ml)
• Larger quantities on request

Gift packaging

• The jar is available in tasteful gift packaging, consisting of a cube box filled with black tissue paper.
• For an overview of our gift packaging, please refer to the gift packaging section.

General advice

• meal Korarima at the last moment to maximize the aroma – preferably roast briefly first.

Save:

• keep koraima in sealed packaging
• preferably store in a dark, dry and cool place
• best before November 2027 (11-2027)
• This expiration date is an indication.

Batch number

The batch number helps us trace which supply an item originated from. It is listed on the packing slip and the invoice.