Turmeric
Turmeric
Turmeric is a flowering plant, known scientifically as Curcuma longa and it belongs to the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. The spice has the greatest diversity in India itself, with almost 40-45 species.
Turmeric is being used in India since Vedic culture, more than 4000 years ago. It was used for cooking purposes, medicine, and had religious significance. It is known to have reached China by 700 AD, East Africa by 800 AD, West Africa by 1200 AD, and Jamaica in the eighteenth century.
Turmeric is also known as “Indian saffron” due to its brilliant yellow color.