Turmeric – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What is turmeric?

Turmeric is a common spice used in Asian food to flavor (and color) foods. Turmeric has a warm, slightly bitter flavor that’s earthy and deep. It’s most often used in savory dishes, but it also makes an appearance in sweet dishes.

Curcumin is the chemical that gives turmeric its bright yellow appearance. Because it works great as a food additive, it’s used in various food items, including baked products, ice cream, yogurt, orange juice, cereals, sauces, and gelatin products. It’s also used as a cheaper replacement for saffron and to dye Indian clothing such as saris and Buddhist monk robes.

The part of the turmeric plant we eat is its bright orange roots. It’s used more for its color than its flavor. If you left turmeric out of a dish, it wouldn’t affect the taste much. You might not miss its slightly bitter flavor, but you’d undoubtedly miss its golden hue.

Where did turmeric initially come from?

The popular spice has been around Southeast Asia for centuries, dating back almost 4,000 years to India, where it was used in foods and for religious purposes. It made its way to China by 700 AD and reached Africa around 800 AD. It was used medicinally in Ayurvedic, ancient Chinese, Siddha, and Unani cultures. Turmeric grows plentiful in South and Southeast Asia and Eastern India.

What are the benefits of eating turmeric?

One tablespoon of turmeric contains:

• Calories: 29
• Protein: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fat: 0.3g
• Fiber: 2.1g
• Sugar: 0.3g

It also contains an impressive amount of nutrients:

• Manganese: 26%
• Potassium: 5%
• Iron: 16%
• Vitamin C: 3%

How does turmeric grow?

Turmeric is an herbaceous perennial plant that leans toward the hearty side. The plant features large green leaves and grows to about 3ft tall. As the plant matures, each stem becomes a green-white or pink flower. However, the part of the plant we eat is under the ground—the fleshy, finger-like roots, called “rhizomes.”

Since the plant is native to Southeast Asia, it naturally thrives in the sun. In fact, it needs 8–10 frost-free months to reach maturity. However, if your climate can’t guarantee a prolonged, warm environment, you can plant turmeric inside in a pot and then move it outside when the temperature rises.

How do you pick turmeric at the grocery store?

Fresh turmeric should be firm and fleshy with pale brown skin. Let your Instacart shopper know what to look for when ordering turmeric. Just put your preferences in the comments section whenever you’re ordering fresh produce.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for turmeric via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for turmeric.

How do you store turmeric?

Fresh turmeric should be stored in the refrigerator in a plastic or paper bag or an airtight container for 1–2 weeks. Pat it dry before storage to avoid potential mold growth.

Or you can freeze it (cut) for several months. Fresh (or defrosted) turmeric can be sliced, diced, cubed, grated, or juiced. Shop Instacart for same-day delivery of other types of fresh root vegetables.

You can dry turmeric yourself at home. Just peel, boil, then dry it. It will lose some of its essential oils and pungency but will still provide the delicious warmth and color it’s famous for.

If you’ve chosen dried turmeric, it should be stored like any spice—in a cool, dry place. Keep it out of direct light, and close the container when it’s not in use. Most importantly, keep it away from heat which will dampen the flavor.

Keep in mind, turmeric can stain your hands, clothing, and dish towels. But don’t worry—it will wash out.

How can you tell if turmeric is bad?

If it looks soft, dried up, or shriveled, it’s not good. If you can’t find a fresh piece of turmeric, look for the dried version.

What can I substitute for turmeric?

If your recipe calls for fresh turmeric and cannot find any, you can substitute dried turmeric. One inch of fresh turmeric equals 1Tbsp of grated turmeric or 1tsp of the dried, ground spice.

If money isn’t an issue, saffron makes a delicious substitute for turmeric. It offers the same color properties and a similar taste but without bitterness. Depending on your recipe, ginger or cumin are both intensely flavored spices and might make a good substitute. Cumin has a similar fragrance to turmeric, and ginger has similar anti-inflammatory abilities. As a last option, choose mustard for the color or curry powder for the taste.

Is it turmeric time?

Turmeric has been a time-honored tradition for centuries of medicinal and culinary uses. So whether you choose dry or fresh, Instacart has you covered. Browse turmeric root today.

Instacart

Author

Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.