Turmeric, one of the prominent spices in Indian cuisine, is already known by most people for its flavor and color. But did you know that turmeric is actually more than just a pleasant aromatic spice?

Turmeric, considered among precious plants due to its limited cultivation area and rich components, is widely used in dishes for both its taste and striking yellow hue. However, its form and journey before reaching the table are largely unknown. It is likely that when you think of turmeric, the first thing that comes to mind are its root sections in the form of irregular sticks. But in fact, turmeric is not just this root and is used in many more areas than commonly known. If you want to know more about this plant, you should continue reading this article!

1. WHAT IS TURMERIC?

Turmeric is defined as a herbaceous plant species belonging to the ginger family, with yellow or purplish-pink flowers and dark green leaves. Its Latin name in botanical literature is known as Curcuma Longa. Its common names vary by region, including zerdeçöp, zerdeçav, Indian saffron, saffron root, and yellow dye. The widely used Turkish name “zerdeçal” actually comes from Persian. According to sources, the name, formed by combining the Persian words “zerd” (yellow) and “çup” (wood), first entered Turkish as “zerdeçöp” and gradually evolved into “zerdeçal”.

2. WHERE DOES TURMERIC GROW?

Turmeric, a tropical climate product, unfortunately cannot be grown in Turkey because it cannot adapt to different climatic conditions. This plant, native to East India, is an indispensable part of the region's cuisine. The name "Indian saffron" for turmeric comes exactly from here. In addition, turmeric can be grown in a few other countries in the Asian region with tropical climate characteristics. Among these countries, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh lead after India.

3. HOW IS TURMERIC USED?

Although the turmeric plant is mostly known as a food item with high nutritional value, its usage area is much broader than imagined. For use in any field, particularly the horizontal roots called "rhizomes," which are connected to the main root of the plant, are preferred. Turmeric's intense yellow color, due to its high content of curcumin pigment, makes it a good option as a dye. Fresh turmeric roots need to go through several stages to be ready for use. First, the roots collected from the plant are thoroughly cleaned. Then, the roots are boiled in cauldrons for 30-35 minutes and dried in hot ovens or in the sun, depending on the conditions. After the roots are dried, they become ready for processing.

3.1. WHERE IS TURMERIC USED?

While the resin of turmeric is used as a raw material in food manufacturing, its roots are most commonly used in kitchens. The roots, which can be preferred as a natural and effective food coloring, transform into an appetizing spice with a bitter taste when ground into powder. Furthermore, this food can be added as a flavoring to various types of beverages, just as drinks are made solely from turmeric. The color and aroma of turmeric are not only utilized in the kitchen but also frequently in the cosmetics industry, especially in the perfume sector. Care products and masks made from this plant are also in high demand. Moreover, in some ethnic groups, it can traditionally be preferred instead of henna. With its prominent coloring properties in many areas, turmeric also finds its place in the textile industry. Turmeric, a natural dye, is particularly used for coloring delicate fabrics such as fine silk and thin leathers.

4. HOW TO CONSUME TURMERIC?

Turmeric is mostly preferred as a sweetening spice in its homeland, India. For this reason, it is used in many food recipes. Turmeric also forms the main ingredient of India's famous spice, curry. Similarly, in other countries, powdered turmeric is frequently used to flavor dishes, salads, or yogurts. Turmeric is preferred in desserts as well as savory dishes. In this use, the spice, which stands out more with its color, can be added to cakes and cookies. In addition, turmeric can be used as an alternative to saffron in making zerde, one of the traditional Ottoman desserts. Turmeric sweetens not only foods but also drinks. For example, those who like to consume herbal tea brew turmeric tea using turmeric peel. Some people also add this spice to their smoothies. Furthermore, powdered turmeric creates a unique flavor when added to milk.

4.1. WHY SHOULD TURMERIC BE CONSUMED?

Beyond its taste and color, the compounds it contains make turmeric highly attractive to people for inclusion in recipes. This is another important reason for it to become the star of the table. In addition to containing a high amount of curcumin, turmeric is also very rich in Vitamin C, protein, iron, potassium, and fiber! Turmeric, which also contains carbohydrates and fat, also attracts attention with its low calories despite its high nutritional values.

5. WHERE CAN TURMERIC BE FOUND?

You can easily find turmeric in powder form on market shelves and in peel form at herbalists. Fresh turmeric roots, which are a bit harder to find, can be obtained from places selling natural products. However, easy accessibility should not lead you to excessive consumption. This is because the curcumin in turmeric can cause unwanted side effects if consumed in excess.

6. SAFE CONSUMPTION WITH APITERA MIND

Bringing together valuable bee products and herbal formulas, Balparmak Apitera series stands out with its supplementary food products for different needs. Turmeric, one of the miraculous nutrients, finds its place in this series within Apitera Mind. Furthermore, all food ingredients in Apitera's formula are determined by Balparmak's R&D team, calculating the most appropriate doses. This eliminates the need to worry about overdosing. Apitera Mind's carefully prepared formula aims to provide daily nutritional support for a sense of focus. For this, the mixture contains honey and propolis, in addition to turmeric, ginkgo biloba leaf extract, blueberry powder, pomegranate juice concentrate, cinnamon, and rosemary. Packaged in single-use 7-gram sachets, the content also fully complies with hygiene conditions.

If you also want to benefit from the miraculous components of turmeric, accompanied by valuable bee products, you should try Apitera Mind now!