Recipes
 Appetizers
 Barbecue - Grilling
 Beans - Grains
 Breads - Biscuits
 Candy - Snacks
 Canning
 Casseroles
 Cookies - Brownies
 Crock pot
 Desserts
 Drinks
 Ethnic Dishes
 Eggs - Dairy
 Fruits
 Garlic
 Holiday Favorites
 Low Carb
 Meat Dishes
 Pancakes - Muffins
 Pasta
 Pies - Pastries
 Pizza
 Salads
 Sandwiches
 Sauces - Marinades
 Seafood - Fish
 Side Dishes
 Soups - Stews
 Vegetables
 Vegetarian


Subscribe

Enter your email address

Spices & Herbs  
Turmeric
Order Turmeric Online
Ground

Turmeric General Description
Turmeric comes from the root of Curcuma longa, a leafy plant in the ginger family. The root, or rhizome, has a tough brown skin and bright orange flesh. Ground Tumeric comes from fingers which extend from the root. It is boiled or steamed and then dried, and ground.
Geographical Sources
India is the world's primary producer of Turmeric. It is also grown in China and Indonesia.
Traditional Ethnic Uses
Turmeric is a 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.
Taste and Aroma
Turmeric is mildly aromatic and has scents of orange or ginger. It has a pungent, bitter flavor.
History/Region of Origin
Turmeric, with its brilliant yellow color, 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. Turmeric has been used medicinally throughout Asia to treat stomach and liver ailments. It also was used externally, to heal sores, and as a cosmetic.
A Few Ideas to Get You Started
Because of its bitter taste, Turmeric should not be used as a flavor substitute for saffron. A Turmeric stain can be washed out with soap and water if treated quickly. Use Turmeric to add Eastern mystery to new favorites as well as in traditional curries, rice and chicken dishes, and condiments. Turmeric is a classic addition to chutneys, pickles, and relishes. Add a pinch of Turmeric to fish soups. Blend with melted butter and drizzle over cooked vegetables, pasta, or potatoes.


Allspice
Anise Seed
Arrowroot
Basil, Sweet
Bay Leaves
Caraway Seed
Cardamom
Cayenne Pepper
Celery Seed
Chervil
Chives
Cilantro
Cinnamon
Cloves
Coriander
Cream of Tartar
Cumin
Curry Powder
Dill Seed and Weed
Fennel Seed
Garlic
Ginger
Horseradish
Juniper Berries
Mace
Marjoram
Mint
Mustard Seed
Nutmeg
Onion
Oregano
Paprika
Parsley
Pepper
Poppy Seeds
Red Pepper
Rosemary
Saffron
Sage
Sesame Seed
Savory
Tarragon
Thyme
Turmeric
Vanilla

Search


Resources

 Book Store
 Bulletin Boards
 Channel
 Chat
 Conversions
 Dictionary
 Hints and Tips
 Kitchen Necessities
 Product Reviews
 Spices & Herbs
 Substitutions
 Techniques

 Buy Ads Now
 Awards Gallery
 Best of the Web
 Feedback
 Guest Book
 Privacy Policy