Family Name : Zingiberaceae, Botanical name : Curcuma Longa Hindi Name: Haldi
Arabic Name : Curcum
Part used : Roots (Dried root)
Turmeric is a very important spice in India from ancient times.
Spice
Description : Turmeric, basically a tropical plant of ginger family is
the rhizome or underground stem, with a rough, segmented skin. The length of
main rhizome is approximately 2.5 - 7 cm (1 - 3 inches) in length with a
diameter of 2.5 cm (1 inch), with smaller tubers branching off. The color of
rhizome is yellowish-brown with a dull orange interior and color of powder
is bright yellow.Color : Bright yellow
Flavor & Aroma : Earthy aroma and a pungent, slightly bitter flavor
Bouquet : Earthy and slightly acrid
Main constituents :
- Turmeric contains an essential oil max. 5%, this contains a variety of sesquiterpenes specific for the species.
- In turmeric most important for the aroma are - Turmerone: Max. 30% - Ar-turmerone: 25% - Zingiberene: 25%
- Conjugated Diarylheptanoids are responsible for the orange colour and probably for the spicy taste (3 - 4%).
