Turmeric

Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated June 25, 2021)

Turmeric which is also known by the scientific name Curcuma longa, and the Arabic name Curcuma, and is very similar in nature to saffron. Surprisingly, this spice is actually a part of the ginger family, rather than a from a flower like saffron. As with ginger, the part of turmeric that is used as a spice is actually the root. Turmeric actually gets its name from the color it has, which is a gorgeous and brilliant orange that has been used as a dye for millennia.

When Marco Polo, who was the first Westerner to be introduced to turmeric, discovered just how impressive this spice could be. He is attributed as saying in his journals, "There is also a vegetable which has all the properties of the true saffron as well as the smell and the color, and yet it is not really saffron. It is held in great estimation, and being an ingredient in all their dishes, it bears, on that account, a high price." However, unlike the spice that it is so similar to, turmeric doesn't now have that same high price. You can currently get turmeric for as little as $6.50 a pound. When compared to the price that saffron commands (at least twice that price for one gram), turmeric can be a very cost effective substitute for saffron in many recipes.

Turmeric is most commonly used in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Oriental cuisines, and is slowly gaining inroads into the dishes of the West. In taste, while turmeric is so similar to saffron, it is also reminiscent of some of its ginger family, most namely cardamom. Another advantage of turmeric is that it is nowhere near as delicate as saffron, and is a more robust plant and spice. If you are looking for a great way to add a little pep to your dishes, then you may very well consider adding a little turmeric. Just be careful that you don't overdo it.

In addition to its culinary uses, turmeric is also used in a variety of other ways. For example, like ginger, turmeric has long been considered an aid in digestion in some countries, and is even prescribed as a dietary supplement for this. Currently there are even some studies that are going on that express some interesting affects that turmeric has on such illnesses as cancer and Alzheimer's. There is nothing conclusive yet though that says definitely whether this is the case or not, but early results are rather exciting. Only time will tell if this long standing folk remedy, and wonderful spice, will actually bear any fruit in the medical field.

Author Bio

Lee Wyatt

Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. ...

MORE FROM LEE

Closing Your Swimming Pool for Fall

Closing your swimming pool for fall is an important task for any pool owner. The simple reason is that if you don't, when ...

Discover More

Installing a Kitchen Island

A Kitchen island can be one of the most helpful additions that you put into your kitchen. By having a kitchen island you ...

Discover More

Cleaning Cork Floors

If you are looking for an environmentally friendly and still beautiful flooring option, then you really can't go wrong ...

Discover More
More Cooking Tips

That Wonderful Vanilla Bean

Perhaps one of the most well known and most beloved of spices, Vanilla is an enigma to many people. Sure you can pick it ...

Discover More

Spice Racks

Spice racks are a necessity for the truly enthusiastic home chef. Without a properly organized and stocked spice rack, ...

Discover More

Caraway

Caraway has been around for a very long time and long held a place of honor among the herbs and spices of the world. Take ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is seven more than 6?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)