The Golden Spice of Life

Family Name : Zingiberaceae, Botanical name : Curcuma Longa Hindi Name: Haldi

Arabic Name : Curcum

Part used : Roots (Dried root)

Turmeric is a very important spice in India from ancient times.

Spice Description : Turmeric, basically a tropical plant of ginger family is the rhizome or underground stem, with a rough, segmented skin. The length of main rhizome is approximately 2.5 - 7 cm (1 - 3 inches) in length with a diameter of 2.5 cm (1 inch), with smaller tubers branching off. The color of rhizome is yellowish-brown with a dull orange interior and color of powder is bright yellow.

Color : Bright yellow

Flavor & Aroma : Earthy aroma and a pungent, slightly bitter flavor

Bouquet : Earthy and slightly acrid

Main constituents :

• Turmeric contains an essential oil max. 5%, this contains a variety of sesquiterpenes specific for the species.
• In turmeric most important for the aroma are - Turmerone: Max. 30% - Ar-turmerone: 25% - Zingiberene: 25%
• Conjugated Diarylheptanoids are responsible for the orange colour and probably for the spicy taste (3 - 4%).