Turmeric |
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Curcuma longa
Culinary uses:
Turmeric is a member of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is mildly aromatic and has scents of orange or ginger. It has a pungent, bitter flavor. Turmeric is necessary ingredient of curry powder. It is used extensively in Indian dishes, including lentil and meat dishes, and in Southeast Asian cooking.
Turmeric is routinely added to mustard blends and relishes. It also is used in place of saffron to provide color and flavor. Tips: Because of its bitter taste, Turmeric should not be used as a flavor substitute for saffron. Storage: Turmeric powder will retain its colouring indefinitely. Flavour will lessen over time; as with most powered spices can develop a musty falvour if stored long term inappropriately. Buy in moderation and as a general rule use within six months. Airtight containers and out of sunlight will help it keep.
Description: The main rhizome measures 2.5 - 7 cm (1” – 3 “) in length with a diameter of 2.5 cm. The rhizome is yellowish-brown with a dull orange interior that looks bright yellow when powdered. When ground its colour is a brilliant yellow. Origin: Turmeric has been used as a dye, medicine, and flavoring since 600 BC. In 1280, Marco Polo described Turmeric as "a vegetable with the properties of saffron, yet it is not really saffron." Indonesians used Turmeric to dye their bodies as part of their wedding ritual. Cultivation: Turmeric thrives well in a well-drained sandy loam soil rich in humus content or clayey-loam soil. It can be grown in diverse tropical conditions from sea level to 1500 m in the hills. Turmeric is a tropical herb and is grown in both tropics and subtropics. Will grow luxuriantly in shade if not too dense, but it produces larger and better rhizomes in the open ground exposed to the sun.
Medicinal Uses: Turmeric contains curcumin which poeses many medicinal properties, Many in India, where herbs and spices are often used medcinally, use it as an antiseptic for cuts and burns. Whenever there is a cut or a bruise, the home remedy is to reach for turmeric powder. Ayurvedic doctors say it has fluoride which is essential for teeth. It is also used as an antibacterial agent. It is taken in some Asian countries as a dietary supplement, which allegedly helps with stomach problems and other ailments. It is popular as a tea in Okinawa, Japan. It is currently being investigated for possible benefits in Alzheimer's disease, cancer and liver disorders. Turmeric has also been used medicinally throughout Asia to treat stomach and liver ailments
Turmeric can also be used in a detox tea. Tag it:        |