The health benefits of turmeric are incredibly vast and very thoroughly researched. (Faim d’épices)
Turmeric is also called saffron of the Indies because of its coloring power, or even tussock nuts, after the name of a European marsh plant, edible rhizome.
Exotic-looking bulbs to grow in pots, in apartments or on the terrace in summer. Their large, thick flowers bloom 8 weeks after planting, in pots or in the soil. Flat flowers 10 cm long, scarlet. (Faim d’épices)
The plant forms a very ornamental bush: the long stems, sheathed by leaves in their lower part, are adorned with foliage provided in height. In the center of the flower stalk, a bract with very tight flowers, similar to a small artichoke, gives birth to a decorative flower, white or yellow which, if it is fertilized, produces fruits in the form of capsules.
Turmeric is not provided by an aerial part of the plant, but by the rhizome, hidden underground, at the foot of the stems and at the top of the roots. This one is unearthed when the plant fades. The entire rhizome is preserved.
It is a spice used in India for over 4000 years. (Faim d’épices)
Its main axis, thick, and its secondary branches, long and thin, are cleaned and cooked, which makes it possible to soften the thick skin, or « suber », and to diffuse the beautiful yellow color in all the tissues. After cooking, the « suber » is scraped, then the turmeric dries for a week. It is marketed fresh or powdered.
Turmeric is grown in the belt of tropical countries, especially in India, where the plant originated, and which is the biggest exporter of this spice. The cultivation of turmeric is widely practiced in the rest of Asia, Mascarenes and the West Indies.
Studies have shown that curcumin is an antioxidant, meaning that it can protect our cells against damage caused by free radicals. It also has strong anti-inflammatory properties. (Faim d’épices)
The reproduction is done by planting sprouted pieces and rhizomes. Turmeric contains an essential oil rich in turmerone and zingiberene, which gives it its aroma. its coloring power comes from curcumin and has always made it a substitute, even a counterfeit saffron, but it does not have the same taste as this one. It is turmeric that gives its solar color to curry and tandoori. It also notes the hue of mustards, butter, cheeses and pickles.
Do you know ornamental turmeric? It offers a beautiful summer flowering, and is grown both in pots, indoors, and in the ground in mild climates. Click on the image and discover how to grow and bloom the « tulip of Siam »! (Faim d’épices)
Nutritional and medicinal beliefs and values Turmeric is used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of skin diseases, particularly in India and Mauritius for the treatment of scabies. It has been used for a very long time as an anti-inflammatory by Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Colon cancer is statistically less prevalent in areas where it is consumed regularly. The active ingredient of turmeric, curcumin, is the subject of active research.
It was not until the 18th century that turmeric arrived in Europe thanks to the Dutch, English, Portuguese and French naval fleets. Then Joseph Hubert (scientist, Reunion scholar, botanist and naturalist) will bring it to the islands and Creole cuisine where it is used in all sauces, especially on the island of Reunion. (Faim d’épices)
It is an effective chemoprevention agent for colorectal cancer in rodents (clinical trials in volunteers in progress). Curcumin may also help stimulate the immune system cells that engulf the brain proteins that mark Alzheimer’s disease. The therapeutic activity of turmeric is increased tenfold in the presence of black pepper (piperine).
The bioavailability of turmeric is thus increased by the pepper piperine (as indicated in some treatments) is not useful with turmeric juice unlike dried turmeric powder. Turmeric juice obtained from fresh rhizomes, preserves fixed and volatile Phytonutrients (curcumin, curcuminoids, essential oils, …) present in fresh turmeric to promote bioavailability in the body
Make your own turmeric paste + 7 uses of genius! (Faim d’épices)
You can discover all these spices during your cooking class at our premises.
The name possibly derives from Middle English or Early Modern English as turmeryte or tarmaret. It may be of Latin origin, terra merita (« meritorious earth »). The name of the genus, Curcuma, is derived from the Sanskrit kuṅkuma, referring to both turmeric and saffron, used in India since ancient times.
Turmeric is a tropical plant easy to install in a heated interior. It forms beautiful, colorful flowers and blends with other chilly plants. (Faim d’épices)
Culinary
Turmeric is one of the key ingredients in many Asian dishes, imparting a mustard-like, earthy aroma and pungent, slightly bitter flavor to foods.
Curcuma is used widely as a spice in South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking. Various Iranian khoresh dishes are started using onions caramelized in oil and turmeric, followed by other ingredients.
Turmeric makes a poor fabric dye, as it is not very light fast, but is commonly used in Indian clothing, such as saris and Buddhist monks’s robes.[6] It is used to protect food products from sunlight (coded as E100 when used as a food additive). (Faim d’épices)
In Indonesia, turmeric leaves are used for Minang or Padang curry base of Sumatra, such as rendang, sate padang, and many other varieties. In Thailand, fresh turmeric rhizomes are used widely in many dishes, in particular in the southern Thai cuisine, such as yellow curry and turmeric soup.
Turmeric is a spice with multiple preventive and curative virtues. Excellent for digestion, turmeric also has the ability to reduce inflammation, prevent cancer and protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease. (Faim d’épices)
Turmeric is used in a hot drink called « turmeric latte » or « golden milk » that is made with milk, frequently coconut milk. The turmeric milk drink known as haldi doodh is a South Asian recipe. Sold in the US and UK, the drink known as « golden mylk » uses nondairy milk and sweetener, and sometimes black pepper after the traditional recipe (which may also use ghee).
At the top of the inflorescence, stem bracts are present on which no flowers occur; these are white to green and sometimes tinged reddish-purple, and the upper ends are tapered. (Faim d’épices)
