Botanical name
Curcuma longa L

Family name
Zingiberaceae

Commercial part
Rhizome or underground stem

The use of turmeric dates back nearly 4000 years, to the Vedic culture in India, when turmeric was the principal spice and also of religious significance. Turmeric is also sometimes called 'Indian saffron' because of its brilliant yellow color and Indian turmeric is considered the best in the world.

India alone produces nearly the whole world's crop of turmeric and uses 80% of it. In today's India, turmeric is added to nearly every dish be it non- vegetarian or vegetables. Turmeric is part of all Indian curry powders and due to Indian influence, turmeric made its way to the cuisine of Ethiopia. In South East Asia, the fresh spice is much preferred to the dried.