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Its fascinating and powerful earthy aroma, its woody flavor and its characteristic yellow They make it an essential ingredient both in everyday cooking, as well as in gastronomic whims that we like to give in from time to time.
Today Summum we discovered the turmeric. And all the ways to savor it.
User’s manual
La turmeric It is the rhizome of a tropical perennial from the same ginger family, Curcuma longa. The rhizomes are cleanedThey are boiled or steamed (in alkaline water, to fix their color) and then dried, losing a lot of weight. The small “fingers” that stick out from the main rhizome are considered the best quality parts.
Unlike other spices, of which it is always advisable to buy them whole and fresh, turmeric is “Admits” also ground. More than anything, so as not to complicate life too much, since the rhizomes are hard and quite difficult to grate at home. In any case, in the Madrid stores of Kiki Market Yes, it can be purchased whole and fresh. Ground, the organic turmeric marketed by the Galician company is highly recommended Dew. Lifting the lid of the 50 gr jar and smelling its aroma is a real pleasure.
When fate is in color
El intense yellow color It is probably the most outstanding characteristic of turmeric, the reason why this wild plant native to India began to be domesticated as early as prehistoric times. Its name, in fact, would derive from Sanskrit and would mean just “yellow” (just as saffron derives from the word za’faran, which refers to that same color).
Formerly, it was used as paint and with the turmeric the robes of the Hindu monks, the skin, the clothes and the foods that used to accompany the celebrations related to marriage and death were dyed.
The trendy ‘superfood’
The merits of the curcumin, the main pigment in turmeric, they go well beyond giving food a nice yellow color. In this phenolic compound the anti-inflammatory properties of this spice are nested: Carla zaplanain his book Superfoods, speaks of it as a “natural ibuprofen.”
Turmeric has a reputation for preserving food well and being a natural anti-aging agent. The merit is, once again, of curcumin and its antioxidant power, which is added to another power, that of regulating blood sugar levels. Also recognized are yellow spice protective properties of the cardiovascular and digestive system.
Furthermore, turmeric root It is rich in vitamin C, B3, iron, zinc, selenium, and manganese. A full-blown superfood.
Cucu: the most exclusive chocolates, with a secret ingredient
Cucu Chocolates It is one of the business lines of the Madrid company Jolu Foods. The range includes four chocolate bars –black, sweet black, milk and white– that boast a common ingredient, which is perfect for chocolate and is also good for us: turmeric.
They can be purchased for about 6 euros each on their website, in stores such as Teterimundi or coffee shops such as Coffee and kicks or Naked Concept, both in Madrid. They also sell, under the seal Chimo Chai, a natural mix for Chai Latte –drink based on milk and spices– with Indian turmeric. Without colorants, flavorings and caffeine.
Turmeric in the pantry
Turmeric is the main ingredient in Curry, the most famous spice mix in the world. In fact, its intense yellow color is due, once again, to the presence of this root. Although, yes, there are as many Currys as there are cooks, as this mixture can contain up to 50 ingredients.
Something similar to what happens with el Ras el hanout, a refined condiment native to North Africa, which can contain up to twenty ingredients. Among them, of course, turmeric. The special touch of a mix whose name means “Head of the store”, an allusion to the spices on the top shelf. That is, the best.
The essence of Indian cuisine
The Indonesian delicatessen brand Lotao has found a way to concentrate the essence of Indian cuisine in a 300 gr package. It is the Curcuma Sun, a basmati rice flavored with turmeric that is inspired by the travels of Marco Polo (hence its middle name “the discoverers’ rice”).
This product, which can be found in specialized stores for a price that rubs the 5 euros, relies on the yellow spice to give each dish a touch of spice and, at the same time, a golden hue.
Taste and color on the table
Regional Co. is an Alicante company with almost a century of history that sells a wide range of spices and dressings for both traditional and traditional cuisine. “net”. Among the most gourmet condiments is a mixture based on turmeric, allspice, ginger, bay leaf, dill, parsley, onion, basil.
An original option for seasoning fish-based dishes. Organic ground turmeric can also be purchased from the same brand.
Do you know the momo?
The indian restaurant Benares It is a reference in the capital and has just added to its gastronomic offer, letter and tasting menu, a most original snack. Are the momos, some typical dim sum of Nepalese street cuisine that mix, as is easy to understand, elements of Indian and Chinese cuisine.
The momos are made with barley flour, steamed and marked on the grill. The filling is usually meat-based, but there are also vegetables. On Benares They are served in three types: vegetables, free-range chicken and red prawns.
Like almost all the dishes in this restaurant, the momos have turmeric, the queen of Indian cuisine. The free-range chicken also has this ingredient in the dough, so it shines a beautiful golden color on the plate.
Golden milk, the new ritual
It’s the new fashionable bedtime ritual. We are talking about the golden milk o ‘golden milk’, a drink born in India that does not stop gaining followers among foodies around the world. A recipe based on vegetable milk or skimmed milk that owes its name to the bright yellow color it acquires thanks to turmeric, its principal ingredient.
It is not an easy flavor, but it is enough that we add a little honey to it to provide us with warmth and well-being. An ideal state of mind before going to bed. The French brand Exotic Land prepares and markets a Golden milk mix that contains turmeric from Madagascar, black pepper from Sarawak, ginger from Nepal and cinnamon from Ceylon. It can be purchased in gourmet stores and on the brand’s own website. 60 gr of this preparation cost about 6 euros.
Refreshing and golden
Indian Turmeric Root, Organic Green Tea Leaves, Cardamom, Licorice, and Lemon. This blend made by the English tea and infusions brand Pukka promises to provide a refreshing, golden moment to anyone willing to give it a go.
Is called Turmeric Gold And it is not the only infusion of the house that contains turmeric. The Turmeric Activate has ginger, galangal (another rhizome similar to ginger, but spicier and fresher) and, of course, the golden goddess, turmeric.