Turmeric

Curcuma

What it is

India’s golden root dyes robes, blesses weddings — brides are painted with it for luck — and colours nearly every curry. Marco Polo described it as a vegetable with the qualities of saffron; merchants happily sold it as “Indian saffron” for centuries.

In the kitchen

A pinch of black pepper multiplies what your body absorbs from it — the two are old partners. Mind your clothes: the stain is forever.

Goes with

Rice Coconut milk Lentils Chickpeas Ginger Yogurt

Same species

Turmeric leaf Zedoary

Also used with

Ajwain Amba Amchur Andaliman Banana leaf Basmati rice

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