Like most of us, the turmeric I had used all my life came from the grocery store...and I thought it was used to color food, because it had no scent or flavor, what else could it be for?
Unlike most of us, I have inherited arthritis, and my joints started to disintegrate in my twenties. Since turmeric is known as one of nature's best anti-inflammatory agents...the Arthritis Foundation sez it stops free radicals in their tracks, reduces swelling, and halts cartilage destruction...I figured I'd give it a try. A 1/4 tsp per day is supposed to do the trick, so I planned to put it in my tea each morning.
But a pound of turmeric?? Tho' most of us wouldn't use that much in lifetime, I did the math and this was the most cost effective purchase, and I could share with friends & family.
Well, it turns out turmeric HAS a flavor, and a good one. This is the power of freshness...when
I opened the plastic-coated foil bag to find a golden powder with a friendly, earthy scent I smelled turmeric for the first time ever. And when I put a bit on the tip of my tongue it tingled, and I realized I was experiencing the legendary numbing quality it is famous for.
Fresh turmeric has a warm, earthy, umami quality, and I can see why chefs use it to add depth to their flavors; it would be a far superior flavor enhancer than MSG. I also understand why Indian cooks dry-fry their spices as a first step...the turmeric absolutely bloomed in hot tea, and a 1/4 teaspoon was too much per cup, more like per pot. It enhanced the natural grassiness of green tea, and the smoky mesquite honey I use, and even after adding cream the flavor and color were pleasant.
Full disclosure: turmeric has an ever so slightly tannic quality that I only noticed when added to the natural astringency of tea. Some may find this unpleasant but it is really not pronounced. However, this is a review, so there it is.
Turmeric is finely powdered root, a member of the ginger family, and when it is this fresh it still has slight moisture. And it stains; it has been used for centuries as a pelt and fabric dye. Be prepared, before it is delivered, with a quart jar to store it, one with an inner seal on the lid, like from a jar of spaghetti sauce (works perfect, four cups of powder almost exactly). The zip-lock foil bag it comes in will not work for home storage, and probably wasn't meant to.
And turmeric & air are not buddies, that's why the stuff from the grocery store is so pale, and has no flavor or aroma. Treat this stuff properly, put a tablespoon or two in a spice container for regular use and store the rest away in that famous cool, dark place, and it will be your earthy friend for life.
I would order any herb or spice from Starwest Botanicals. They clearly care about their product, and seem to be experts in the field. This was a superior experience, and if you figure the price per ounce compared to the groceries & natural food stores, a fairly priced one as well.
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