1. Interesting facts
Turmeric is obtained from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. It has a dense brown skin, and inside there is a bright orange pulp, for which turmeric is also called “Indian saffron”.
Many parallels can be drawn between turmeric and ginger, which it resembles both externally and partly in taste and use. If you put too much of this spice, the taste will be spicy or even bitter. Try using turmeric root in cooking (you just need to choose the freshest and hardest, not withered, roots). Fresh turmeric root is best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, while a portion can be cut and placed in the freezer for longer storage.
The taste of dried ground turmeric is not as strong, but it does not stain your hands like fresh! Ground spice should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. The maximum shelf life is a year (then the spice loses its aroma).
2. Health benefits
Turmeric has been used medicinally in Chinese and Indian medicine since ancient times. It contains curcumin, a substance comparable in strength to drugs, but with virtually no side effects.
Turmeric is quite high in antioxidants, as well as magnesium, iron, fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and manganese.
Turmeric is able to relieve pain and swelling of the joints, strengthens digestion and improves skin condition. Studies have also proven that turmeric is beneficial for inflammatory bowel disease, cancer prevention and Alzheimer’s disease! In addition, turmeric protects against colds and flu (for prevention it is useful to add even a very small amount of turmeric to food), and is used externally for pain relief and healing of wounds and cuts.
3. Smoothie with turmeric
If you like making smoothies, then you are probably not indifferent to health issues! Well, you can take this one step further by adding a pinch of turmeric to your smoothie. In such a small amount, it will not change the taste of the drink, but it will add a lot of antioxidants to your dessert, as well as provide its famous anti-inflammatory effect (which is especially useful for those who exercise physically).
4. Turmeric tea
In fact, any tea is useful, because. supplies antioxidants to the body. A hot tea drink allows you to relax and fall asleep easier, and can also be useful for allergies and some other diseases. It is worth adding a pinch of turmeric to your favorite tea – and it will become not only tasty, but also healthy. It is especially interesting to make ginger tea with turmeric, but you can experiment with black tea and herbal infusions. Plants from the ginger family will not be appropriate, perhaps, only in green and white tea.
5. Add color to “egg” vegan dishes
Turmeric is also called “Indian saffron” because it is a cheaper substitute. If you’re making a vegan version of any “egg” dish – a vegan omelette or something like that – it’s definitely worth adding a little turmeric to give the dish a joyful bright yellow (like an egg yolk) color. Turmeric is also great with tofu dishes.
6. To rice and vegetables
Turmeric is traditionally added to rice and potato dishes, as well as vegetables. Tofu and seitan are also great at absorbing the yellow color (and benefits) of turmeric.
7. Indian joys
Not only is turmeric an ingredient in many Indian spice blends, but it is also one of the key ingredients in a range of gourmet Indian dishes. These are various “masalas” and “kurmas”, baked vegetables (veg. tandoori), pakora, alu gobi, chickpea curry, khichari from mung bean sprouts and others.
8. Around the world with turmeric
Turmeric is widely used in Indian and Moroccan cuisine, but if you are going to travel to Thailand, you will certainly find this spice in Thai cuisine (Thai carrot soup, etc.). In Italy, turmeric is used in cauliflower cacciator, in China they make sweet and sour cauliflower with it, in Japan – pancakes with mushrooms. So turmeric is not only an Indian spice.
9. For breakfast and dessert
The healthiest start to the day is to eat something with turmeric: for example, add a little of this healthy spice to oatmeal, scrambled eggs, bread dipping sauce, burritos or French toast (including its vegan variety), pancakes or pancakes.
Turmeric is also used in sweet pastries, especially in the preparation of muffins and pies, including raw food!
10. Sauces and gravies
One of the most logical ways to use the beneficial spice of turmeric is in marinades, sauces, and gravies: it will add flavor, aroma, and health benefits.
11. Not only in the kitchen
Turmeric can also be used for beauty, preparing homemade scrubs and lotions that relieve skin irritation, help treat psoriasis, acne, and eczema. Turmeric works well with aloe juice, including treating burns and insect bites that itch. As mentioned above, turmeric helps to disinfect and heal wounds and cuts.
Based on materials