Turmeric

Turmeric

Turmeric is usually used as a root powder. Turmeric powder is used as a spice in a lot in South Asian recipes.

Turmeric is sometimes used as a repellent to deter ants.

Names

Scientific
   Curcuma longa
English
   Common turmeric
   Indian saffron
   Turmeric
Dutch
   Geelwortel
   Indiase geelwortel
   Koenjit
   Kurkuma
   Tarmeriek
Spanish
   Cúrcuma
French
   Curcuma
   Safran des Indes
German
   Gelber Ingwer
   Gelbwurzel
   Gilbwurzel
   Kurkuma
   Kurkume
Italian
   Curcuma
   Zafferano delle indie

Taxonomy

Genus
   Curcuma
Family
   Zingiberaceae
Order
   Zingiberales

Basic information and facts

Origin:

Turmeric is a native of south-east Asia.

Distribution:

Turmeric is cultivated in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Peru, Haiti, and Jamaica. The largest exporter is India.

Annual, biennial, or perennial:

It is a perennial, herbaceous plant.

Plant

Turmeric is a ginger-like plant. it is grown for its rhizome or underground stem. The rhizomes can be used for propagation and for consumption.

Climate and weather:

Turmeric is cultivated in tropical conditions with temperature range of 20 to 30°C. It is found from sea level to 1500 m altitude.

Pollination:

Pollinated by insects.

Height:

The turmeric plant can be up to 1 metre tall.

Spacing:

About 30 cm spacing.

Propagation:

Propagated by rhizomes.

Harvesting:

When the leaves and stem start to turn brown and dry the plants are ready to harvest. This is usually about 7 to 10 months after planting. Dig out the plant and shake the soil off the turmeric. Cut the stems off a few cm above the rhizomes. Wash the rhizomes.

Uses:

Turmeric is used as a spice in many Asian dishes. It is often used in its dried, powdered form, but also fresh, like ginger. It contains a yellow-colored chemical called curcumin, which can be used to color foods and cosmetics.

Proverbs and Quotes

• Each spice has a special day to it. For turmeric it is Sunday, when light drips fat and butter-colored into the bins to be soaked up glowing, when you pray to the nine planets for love and luck. (Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, The Mistress of Spices)

Crop categories

Spices
Medicinal plants
Dye crops
Tropical crops

Pictures

Turmeric


Turmeric


Turmeric