Turmeric is a popular ingredient that people use in many recipes. However, if you have never tasted turmeric before, this article is for you. We will discuss different questions regarding turmeric, such as what it tastes like and how can you cook it?
By answering these important questions, we will try to clear all your doubts so that you can use turmeric in your favorite dishes or recipes in the future.
Table of Contents
What Is Turmeric?
Turmeric is type of flowering plant and is part of the Zingiberaceae family, which also includes ginger. Tumeric is also known as Haridra and has long been used in medicines.
What Does Turmeric Taste Like?
Turmeric has an overwhelming earthy taste and bitter flavor. A spoonful or two of turmeric is enough to tinge a pot of rice or a bowl of soup. Turmeric is often added to dishes as a natural food dye. Right now, turmeric is a trendy food, and people are trying to come up with different ideas to add turmeric to their favorite dishes.
How Is Turmeric Made?
Turmeric comes from a root, so it is not made; it occurs naturally. Turmeric is native to Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent and is a key component of the Indian Cuisine. To use turmeric in a recipe, you must prepare it by chopping it into several pieces. However, before you prepare the turmeric for consumption, clean it thoroughly.
How Do You Cook Turmeric?
When cooked, the turmeric root will have a delicious and distinct flavor, the type of flavor you won’t get from the turmeric powder. If you use turmeric as a substitute for turmeric powder, chop or grate the turmeric into small pieces. You can then saute the turmeric in olive oil and add the other ingredients.
You must remember that turmeric powder and turmeric roots have different flavors, but turmeric powder is much more potent and concentrated than turmeric roots. So if you are using the powder as a substitute for the root, don’t use more than ½ a tsp.
What Do You Eat Turmeric With?
We will divide this section into two categories:
- Turmeric powder recipes
- Turmeric root recipes
Turmeric Powder
Potato Salad with Green beans and Turmeric
This vegan recipe is healthier than other potato and turmeric recipes. This dish has a spicy taste, and you can serve it along with other dishes, especially grilled food. Here are the ingredients of this recipe:
- Red pepper flakes
- Turmeric
- Coconut oil
- Yellow potatoes
- Coconut milk
- Ginger
- Green pees
- Lemon juice
Tumeric Pilaf with Pistachios
Dill is a popular vegetable in India and is used in various recipes. Dill is also rich in nutrients; it has anti-inflammatory benefits, aids in digestion, prevents bone loss, and reduces cholesterol. You can make dill turmeric pilaf, a rice dish, and pair it with other dishes such as the Tofu Makhani.
If you don’t like pairing the turmeric and Dill pilaf with other dishes, you can eat it as it is. Here are the main ingredients of this recipe:
- Dill
- Pistachios
- Turmeric
- Cardamom
- Rice
- Bay leaves
Turmeric Root
There are many things you can do with turmeric roots; you can pair them with couscous, bulgur, quinoa, or rice. You can also use turmeric roots to make rice pilafs like turmeric powder. Added cracked pepper in the dish will significantly increase the taste and flavor of the root.
You can also eat a fresh root raw or add it to a salad by cutting it into several small pieces. However, don’t add too much turmeric root to your food as its safe dose is 1.5 to 3 grams daily. Here are some ideas that you can try:
Turmeric mango carrot smoothie
This drink has an exotic and beautiful color and a creamy texture. In addition to its texture, the turmeric mango carrot smoothie has several health benefits because it is rich in antioxidants. You can have this drink with a healthy snack, a light meal, or breakfast.
Fresh turmeric roots with carnival soup
Do you love squash and creamy soups? Then you should try this turmeric roots carnival soup. This soup is gluten-free and vegan-friendly and pairs well with the spicy taste and earthy flavor of the turmeric roots. Check out 5 Best Lasagna Pans.
Is Turmeric Good For You?
Here are some key health benefits of turmeric:
Turmeric can decrease inflammation
For chronic diseases, where inflammation can affect the body’s tissues, consuming turmeric can be beneficial. A study done on patients who have Ulcerative Colitis showed that patients who took at least 2 grams of curcumin daily and their medicines were able to stay in remission.
Turmeric can reduce pain
Turmeric is deeply rooted in Chinese medicine and Ayurveda medicine. These medicines are used to treat arthritis. Studies suggest that consuming turmeric extract can reduce the pain of osteoarthritis. However, more research is required in this area.
Improves the memory
A clinical trial showed that consuming 90 ml of curcumin twice daily for 18 months can help improve your memory. However, this results from just one clinical trial, so more research is required in this area.
Improves heart health
Since turmeric can reduce oxidation and inflammation in the body, it can also reduce the risk of heart illnesses. Research indicates that turmeric can help reverse the heart disease procedure. In healthy old-aged or middle-aged adults, who consumed turmeric for twelve weeks, the endothelial production in their bodies increased.
Another study was conducted on 121 individuals who had coronary artery bypass surgery. A few days before and after the surgical procedure, the group of patients that consumed at least 4 grams of turmeric daily had a 65 % decreased risk of a heart attack.
Tumeric is also thought to be helpful when consumed, along with medicines designed to control the rising cholesterol levels. Check out 5 Best Organic Ketchups and 5 Best Pizza Peels.
Can fight depression
When the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein, is reduced, you might suffer from depression. Another thing that happens during a depression is that your hippocampus shrinks. Research indicates that turmeric consumption can reverse the changes in the brain and increase the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factors.
Related Questions About Turmeric?
How to store Turmeric?
Storing fresh turmeric roots is easy to do. You have to grab a brown paper bag, put the turmeric in it, and store it in the freezer for up to six months or in the refrigerator for a few weeks. When the turmeric roots are about to expire, you can dehydrate them and turn them into turmeric powder.
Are there Turmeric drinks?
Yes, you can make a turmeric latte at home. You will need to mix plant milk with golden syrup, cinnamon, ginger root, and turmeric powder. Once all the ingredients are in one container, combine them, and your latte will be ready in a few minutes.
How to choose Tumeric at a grocery store?
Supermarkets sell different varieties of turmeric. If you are looking for turmeric powder, you might find different forms. Fresh turmeric is easily available in Asia but is not that common in other parts of the world. If you are looking for fresh turmeric roots, look for roots that don’t look shriveled or dry. Check out 5 Best Pizzelle Makers and 5 Best Water Test Kits.
Conclusion
This article thoroughly discusses all things related to turmeric. We have discussed what turmeric tastes like, the type of food it pairs well with, and how you can cook it. Lastly, we have also addressed some queries that are related to turmeric. Turmeric will always be a great addition to your spice cabinet.
Sources:
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