Fresh Turmeric
What is it?
Well known for its medicinal properties, turmeric is often consumed in capsule form. However, this spice, when consumed fresh, can also be an asset for preparing delicious dishes or be used in your natural cosmetics.
Featuring flowers and long, shiny, pointed leaves, this plant can grow up to 1 meter tall. The exterior appearance of fresh turmeric is reminiscent of ginger. But once sliced, you discover a very bright orange interior that adds yellow color and delicious flavor to different dishes. It’s actually the main ingredient in curry!
Fresh or Powdered Turmeric?
Turmeric powder is obtained after boiling and drying the plant’s rhizome. Nowadays, it’s very easily found in all supermarket spice aisles and organic stores.
Fresh turmeric is considered more aromatic, with a more subtle taste than the powdered version. It easily accompanies both savory and sweet dishes.
In France, fresh turmeric can be found in Asian grocery stores, and sometimes in organic shops.
Furthermore, unlike the powdered version, the fresh type hasn’t undergone any transformation, which optimizes its overall benefits.
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How to Consume Fresh Turmeric?
Choosing Well
It is important to check the quality of the turmeric rhizome’s skin. It should be intact.
It is used like fresh ginger: you will need to peel, grate or blend it depending on what you want to prepare. Note: handling turmeric requires gloves because it stains fingers, and the yellow color is hard to remove!
Choose firm and juicy fresh turmeric rhizomes when cut.
It is advisable to consume organic fresh turmeric. It can be found in organic stores like Biocoop or Bio c’ Bon. Asian grocery stores (Indian, Chinese) often stock it. It is also available, albeit sporadically, in hypermarkets. Inquire at your preferred stores.
Storing Fresh Turmeric
It should be stored in an airtight container, away from heat, light, and moisture.
If you wish to store your turmeric in the freezer, wrap it in an airtight bag and cover with several layers of aluminum foil.
Finally, for refrigerator storage, place the rhizomes in a perforated plastic bag where they can remain for several weeks.
Some Simple Cooking Recipes with Fresh Turmeric
Curry Paste
Turmeric is one of the main ingredients in homemade curry. To make this curry paste recipe, gather chili, ginger, onions, curry, garlic, and finally, fresh turmeric.
Depending on taste, you can also add sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, basil, or concentrated tomato juice to the recipe.
For this preparation, cut the chili in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Then chop the onions, grate the ginger and the turmeric. After mincing the garlic, blend everything together.
Finally, incorporate the rest of the ingredients into the mixture for a final blend. The curry paste is ready to enjoy.
Fresh Turmeric Infusion
With anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, infusions made from fresh turmeric rhizomes are a delight for the body.
The ingredients for a delicious turmeric infusion:
- A few crushed peppercorns: pepper helps better absorb curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric
- Thinly sliced lemongrass: an herb known for its bactericidal properties and benefits for the digestive system
- A few slices of ginger: we no longer need to recall the benefits of this powerful anti-inflammatory and diuretic
- 3 slices of fresh turmeric, peeled or finely chopped according to preference
After infusing for 5 minutes, the drink can be tasted. It’s a very spicy blend, which can be softened by adding honey and adjusting the quantities.
Discovering Golden Milk, or Golden Latte
Golden milk is an Ayurvedic drink that has been consumed for ages in India. Also known as golden latte, it supports joint health, is an excellent liver cleanser, and soothes the nervous system.
The main ingredients of this milk are fresh turmeric, coconut milk, and pepper. As a reminder, pepper, thanks to its piperine content, helps to absorb the curcumin from turmeric in our body.
You can also add ginger, or even agave syrup, honey, cinnamon…
