
My first experience using turmeric was in scrambled tofu. I noticed that turmeric gave the scramble a cool yellow color similar to what you would see in scrambled eggs.
Whenever I cook tofu scramble, I always use turmeric. I love the flavor it adds to the scramble as well as the color.
Note: Turmeric gives mustard its yellow color.
I now use turmeric when I cook other dishes, like lentils, beans, macaroni salad, quinoa, and brown rice.
If you have not tried turmeric, you should, because it has some great benefits.
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric is an ancient spice that has a yellow-orange color. This spice is used in foods, medicine, and textiles.
Note: It is one of the ingredients in curry spice.
Turmeric comes from the Curcuma longa plant and has a brown skin. The flesh of turmeric is a deep orange. Turmeric has a bitter, peppery taste and the smell is a cross between orange and ginger. The ginger smell is not surprising because turmeric is a member of the ginger family.
History
Turmeric has been harvested for more than 5,000 years and is native to Indonesia and southern India. The leading commercial producers of turmeric include, India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Haiti and Jamaica.
Health Benefits of Turmeric
You can buy turmeric (curcumin) in its original form (market), powder, or capsule. What ever way you choose to use turmeric, do know that turmeric is an added benefit for your health.
Note: I discovered during my research for this post that turmeric is also good for the skin. Consider making a homemade masque for your skin care routine.
Here are some benefits that turmeric provides:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Effective treatment for inflammatory bowel syndrome
- Helps relieve rheumatoid arthritis
- May help those who suffer from cystic fibrosis
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Aids in cancer prevention
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Inhibits the growth of cancer cells
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Helps reduce the risk of childhood leukemia
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Helps improve liver function
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Lower’s cholesterol
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May help protect against Alzheimer’s (Source).
Ways to Use Turmeric in Food
- Add turmeric to tofu scramble, macaroni salad, potato salad and other foods for a bolder yellow.
- Add turmeric to warm milk with a sweetener (optional) of your choice.
- Add to an soups and bean (lentils) dishes.
- Add turmeric to any of your favorite fruits and vegetables or any dish for something different.
Discussion: Have you used turmeric? If you have used turmeric, please share with us in the comment section below, how you use it.
If you cannot view the video above, you can view it here.
I have always love turmeric. It’s best used in cooking curries, and other dishes that needs a spice. But has anyone tried making it a skin moisturizer? 😛
Hey Misty!
Thanks for sharing Mercola’s link!
I’ve never tried it in a skin moisturizer. That would be interesting!
Take care,
Evelyn
em.. love it.
turmeric powder fried rice… i really love this one..
Hey Jee!
Hmm, turmeric fried rice sounds pretty good.
I thought they were ginger??
Anyways, thanks for sharing the health benefits of it.
Hi Edille!
Turmeric and ginger are related. Very similar, though!
I used tumeric in my Walnut meat for spice and color.
I also just bought a box of organic tumeric tea.
This is a very powerful spice- used for Alzheimer’s and blood cancers
Hi Laila!
Thanks for sharing how you use it. Getting me some turmeric tea is something, I must do. 🙂
Take care!
For me, if it goes on the stove with the exception of my tea, it gets some tumeric. lol I love this spice.
Hey MsFullroller!!
Hmmm..turmeric in your tea. Now that’s something, I’ll have to try. I know I would enjoy it too.
Thanks for sharing!
Evelyn
Hey,
Good article pointing the benefits of this tasty spice!
I like to slice Sweet Potatoes about 1/4″ thick, drizzle a little EVOO, top them generously with Turmeric and bake in the oven. Great as a healthy side dish!
Cheers!
Bill
Hi Bill!
Thanks for sharing. I’ll have to try that soon. Sounds very tasty.
Take care,
Evelyn
Evelyn, I love turmeric and I also juice it. Great article, thank you. 🙂
Hey Ms. Carolyn!
I’ve never juiced it, but will give it a try. I’ll have to pick up some from the Farmers Market, soon. 😉
Thanks for sharing!
I have always loved mustard and curry and now I know why – the turmeric! I had not known it was key ingredient for these foods.
Hey Kymberly!
Turmeric lover in the house. 😉
Thanks for stopping by!
Evelyn
I guess since turmeric is part of the “ginger family” then it gets most of its health benefits. One of the best parts of the turmeric is it being a good source of curry powder. I love using this when cooking. It gives a different spicy flavor to your food when added with coconut milk. As for its health benefits, I could attest to its effectiveness on relieving some pain brought about by arthritis.
Hey Ronald!
Yeah, it is a good source of curry powder. Thanks for chiming in.
Evelyn
Thanks! I’m actually a big fan of healthy foods so I try and mix in healthy herbs in every dish but I still do love bigMacs! 🙂