Turmeric is an essential ingredient in Indian and most Asian cooking, as it adds a distinct color and aroma to the food. Due to its medicinal properties and health benefits, it is popularly used to alleviate skin problems and as an ingredient in home remedies. It is also used for dyeing and coloring. Moreover, it has a special significance in countries like India.
Culinary Uses of Turmeric
The spice or turmeric powder is obtained by drying and grinding the rhizome or root. It is the main ingredient in making curry powder, common in Indian and Thai cuisine, though it is now becoming popular in many countries. The fresh rhizome can also be grated to make the curry paste.
Apart from curries, turmeric is used for cooking lentils and vegetable and non-vegetarian dishes to give them a distinct flavor. In some parts of Indonesia, the fresh leaves of turmeric are used as a flavoring agent. Due to its color, turmeric powder or paste is used to not only flavor condiments, sauces and even rice dishes, but also to add color.
It is sometimes used as a substitute for saffron, which is a very expensive spice. Turmeric is used with other spices like coriander powder, cumin powder, chili powder and cinnamon, clove and cardamom. Finally, turmeric is used as a preservative due to its anti-microbial and antioxidant properties. An interesting use of turmeric is in the making of a tea in Japan.
Tips on the Culinary Use of Turmeric
Turmeric is not only a strong spice, but gets stronger with cooking, so only small amounts should be used. Moreover, since the color is very strong, one has to be careful while cooking to see that it does not stain the clothes or even hands.
Cosmetic Uses of Turmeric
Apart from culinary uses, turmeric has cosmetic uses in Asian countries. Women in many parts of India apply turmeric paste daily before bathing, as its antibacterial properties protect the skin from infections. It maintains the pH balance of the skin, heals dry skin, alleviates pigmentation and prevents wrinkles and aging. A Hindu bride has her body anointed with turmeric paste before the marriage in the belief that it enhances the complexion.
Turmeric is the base for many herbal and ayurvedic ointments which are used externally for eczema, psoriasis and other skin problems, as turmeric is skin friendly as well as an antiseptic. The oil from turmeric is used as a sunscreen. Turmeric is also used to make a special red cosmetic powder. Finally, turmeric products are recommended for hair problems like dandruff.
Other Uses of Turmeric
Turmeric is an important ingredient in home remedies and herbal treatment. In ayurveda (the traditional form of medicine in India), turmeric combined with salt is used as a nasal wash to cure sinusitis. Turmeric powder or even the ashes of the burnt root are used locally to treat boils.
In India, turmeric has special significance in religious and social ceremonies. Letters such as wedding invitations are marked with a daub of turmeric. Moreover, turmeric is applied on the forehead of a new born baby to bring good luck.
Thai monks dye their robes with turmeric color, derived from drops of the juice which comes from the rhizome. Apart from being a fabric dye, turmeric is also used as a natural hair colorant.
Turmeric can be used to repel insects and termites. The oil can be used as bio-pesticide.
Though turmeric is commonly known as a culinary ingredient, it has other important functions too. It is used for skin and hair problems, coloring and home remedies. Moreover, it has social and religious significance in some countries.
Note: There are different varieties of turmeric, so the color can vary from bright yellow to deep yellow-orange.
Sources:
Bakhru, H.K, Herbs that Heal, Orient Paperbacks, 2008.
Kumar, Vijaya, The secret benefits of spices and condiments, Sterling Publishers, 2008.
Indianspices.com, Turmeric, (accessed May 6, 2010).
Turmeric.co.in, Turmeric, the golden spice of life, (accessed May 6, 2010).
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