Turmeric

Name: Turmeric
Botanical Name: Curcuma longa L.
Family Name: Zingiberaceae

Description
Turmeric has a mild, earthy and woody flavour. It stimulates protein digestion, and is an excellent blood purifier. The use of turmeric as a colouring agent in food and dates back as far as 600 B.C. In medieval Europe, turmeric was known as Indian Saffron. India is the world's leading producer of turmeric.

Usage
The Hindus in India use turmeric to marinate fish before cooking. Turmeric is both used as a colouring and flavouring agent in Indian cuisine. Solutions of turmeric have long been used in the treatment of wounds, eye infections and common cold.