Turmeric

Turmeric grows naturally in open forests of India and parts of Asia. While the exact location is disputed, turmeric is believed to have originated from western and southern India. 

This spice prefers warm, humid climates and flourishes in temperatures above 60°F — making India, Sri Lanka, the East Indies, Fiji and Queensland, Australia the most conducive growing regions. India grows the majority of the world’s turmeric and consumes 80% of it.

Here at Olam, our turmeric is sourced from trusted grower partners in India and processed at our facility in Cochin, India where we also process chilli, cumin, black pepper and curry powder.

So, what can turmeric be used for? Turmeric has many applications, including: 

• Can be blended into smoothies
• As an addition to soups, stews and rice to give it a golden hue
• Added to hot water to drink as tea 
• Sprinkled over hummus
• As a main ingredient in curry to give it a warm flavor

Turmeric belongs to the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It’s a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial that is native to the rainforests of Southern Asia. The ancient spice has been used for nearly 4,500 years and has been celebrated for its medicinal qualities. In fact, pots with turmeric residue have been discovered in New Delhi that date back as early as 2500 BCE.

The spice originated from India and first reached the coast of China ins 700 a.d., then slowly spread to East and West Africa. During Marco Polo’s legendary voyages to India on the “Silk Route,” he named turmeric, “Indian saffron,” because of the properties they share. It is also referred to as “the golden spice” because of its rich color.