Bright yellow healing properties of turmeric
Grown in the southeast forests of Asia, Indian curries would not be complete without some of the bright yellow coloured turmeric spice.
Rachel Zammit Cutajar
The spice comes from the rhizome of a plant in the ginger family and though it is sometimes available fresh, it is usually sold dried and ground, in powder form.
Turmeric has a peppery, warm and bitter flavour and a mild fragrance slightly reminiscent of orange and ginger, and while it is best known as one of the key ingredients used to make and Indian curry, it also gives ballpark mustard its bright yellow colour.
In some areas, usually where the turmeric plant is grown, particularly Maharshtra, Goa, Konkan and Kanara, the leaves of the plant are also used to wrap and cook food in. When the leaves are freshly picked they impart a unique and distinct flavour to the food that they are wrapping.
Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric can also be used to test acidity in food, as it turns yellow in acidic foods and red in alkaline foods.
Although turmeric has been harvested in Indonesia and Southern India for more than 5,000 years and was introduced to Europe by Arab traders in the 13th century it has only gained popularity in Western society in recent years, largely due to recent research that has highlighted its therapeutic properties.
Non-culinary uses
Known as one of the world's best natural healers, turmeric has uses far beyond those in the kitchen.
It has been used as a powerful anti-inflammatory in both Chinese and Indian systems of medicine and has also been used to treat a wide variety of conditions including flatulence, jaundice, menstrual difficulties, bloody urine, haemorrhage, toothache, bruising, chest pain and colic.
Turmeric is fantastic cure for throat infection. Simply mix a spoonful of turmeric with hot milk and drink it down. The hot milk will sooth the sore throat and the turmeric fights the throat infection.
When mixed with honey, turmeric has been known to help counter anaemia and simply mixed with water can also fight bouts of diarrhoea.
Recent research has also proved that turmeric has been shown to fight leukaemia and other forms of cancer.
Besides its healing properties it has also been used extensively as a textile dye.
Serving Ideas
- Add turmeric to egg salad to give it an even bolder yellow colour.
- Mix brown rice with raisins and cashews and season with turmeric, cumin and coriander.
- Add a pinch of turmeric on sautéed apples, and steamed cauliflower and/or green beans and onions.
- For a creamy, flavour-rich, low-calorie dip, try mixing some turmeric and dried onion with a little omega-3-rich mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Serve with raw cauliflower, celery, sweet pepper, and broccoli florets.
- Turmeric is a great spice to complement recipes that feature lentils.
- Give salad dressings an orange-yellow hue by adding some turmeric powder to them.
