Turmeric, Curcuma Longa — Spices of Kerala

March 24th, 2007 | admin

Turmeric is used as both a coloring agent and as a flavor for different culinary preparations, almost all of meat and vegetable preparations in India.

The plant appears more or less like ginger, with underground stem and aerial leaves. The plant can grow as large as one meter.

Before harvesting, the whole aerial parts start drying. The rhizomes are boiled and dried for 10-15 days before proceeding to market.

Turmeric can be said as a unique plant because of its ability to morph into a spice, a colorant or dye, a cosmetic (women and children apply turmeric paste on their face for a natural glow) and as a medicine (in Ayurveda it is used as a carminative, vermicide, antiseptic and blood purifier).