Turmeric is a spice chefs use to add flavor to their dishes.
Turmeric is a spice that has been traced back to India, Indonesia and China. India is the largest producer of this versatile spice. Turmeric varies in color from a deep yellowish-orange to a vivid shade of yellow. Throughout history, turmeric has been used to flavor foods, to treat health ailments and as a body dye.
Cooking
Turmeric is a popular spice in Southeast Asian and Indian dishes. Turmeric has a strong bitter taste and has an aroma of ginger or zesty orange which gets stronger as it is cooked. This spice goes well with chicken, rice, Indian curries, saut ed vegetables, potatoes and fish stews. Turmeric is often added to mustard, curry powder and relish to give them that bitter pungent flavor. Always use small amounts of turmeric to not overwhelm the dish.
Handling Turmeric
If you are ready to use turmeric in cooking, it's readily available in powder form. This spice does not lose its yellow color over time but may lose some of its flavor. If you want to prepare fresh turmeric, use rubber gloves. This spice can easily dye your skin and it can take a few days to wash away. Peel the outer brown skin off the turmeric root. Before adding it to the dish you are cooking, finely chop the turmeric root, grate it or cut it into thin slices. Before storing the leftover rhizome, allow it to dry. Cover it with a paper towel and place it in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator. This spice will keep for a few weeks.
Natural Home Remedy
Turmeric has long been known as a natural home remedy that can help treat a variety of ailments. This spice has medicinal properties that can give you many health benefits. Turmeric has antiseptic and antibacterial qualities that can help treat burns and cuts. It can also rid your liver of harmful toxins. It can also treat digestive problems such as constipation and lack of appetite. Turmeric is also used by patients that are fighting breast cancer, prostate cancer, leukemia and melanoma. Believed to be a spice that can help stop metastasis of cancer, it can be a powerful ally for cancer survivors.
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