What Does Turmeric Taste Like? A Look Into The World’s New Favorite Spice
If you happen to follow the trends of today, you are sure to come across turmeric, either marketed as a skin saver, to a sunny, orange beverage, or the missing key in a meal. But, what is this turmeric, and what does it taste like?
Turmeric is overwhelmingly bitter and earthy, with a bit of musky and peppery spice taste. The deep flavor of most curry powders (masala) is…you guessed it, turmeric!
Worry not! We are going to talk about this super spice, turmeric and its taste, and how you can use it as a magic key in your dishes.
What Is Turmeric And Its Taste?
Turmeric is a bright, golden-yellow root with a unique fragrance. This root is usually dried and ground into an orange powder that looks like the sun in your hands.
A fresh turmeric root is the size of your finger, sort of a mini ginger root. They both belong to the same family. Turmeric’s flavor alone is very acidic and fresh, but at the same time, it is earthy and lightly spicy. Its scent has a bright life, which is brought to the dishes and beverages turmeric is included in.
Ground turmeric is a staple ingredient in curry powders and cooked curries, adding a warm homely color. Don’t be lavish when adding turmeric to your food, as the taste can overpower the whole dish and cause you to buy McDonald’s Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich instead!
When used by the book, turmeric powder gives your dish a gentle background, balancing other spices and blends their tastes into something exciting and mouth-watering. Fresh turmeric can be grated to your spice mix for a more vibrant taste.
When cooking with turmeric, it’s best to do a costume change, as it is a natural dye with the STRONG ability to stain. It is quite difficult to get out of skin and clothes, so be sure to change out of that white dress when making your famous curry!
How To Use Fresh Or Ground Turmeric
Turmeric has been around forever, but it’s now that people really see its benefits. Below we discuss the different ways to use turmeric.
Ground spice can be used for the following:
- Rice – Add some color to your rice by adding ½ tsp of ground turmeric per cup of rice. Put it in the water while cooking.
- Lentils – Mix in 1 teaspoon with cooked lentils, onions, and olive oil for that yum-yum.
- Curries – Add 1 teaspoon when cooking the vegetables to add heartiness to your curry.
- Hummus – Mix ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder with 1 tablespoon of roasted sesame seeds for a great topping!
- Soups – 1-2 teaspoons to your soup for a golden-colored fantasy of exotic tastes.
Fresh turmeric root:
Take off the peel with the edge of a spoon. You can use whole pieces or grate them.
- Eggs – Try sprinkling grated turmeric on your next breakfast eggs for a vibrant burst of flavor.
- Juices – Mix in with any freshly squeezed juice for added taste and benefit.
- Stir fry – Add 1 to 2 teaspoons while sautéing the vegetables.
- Salads – Add them to your dressing for the best-tasting salads!
- Marinades – Mix in 1 teaspoon of grated turmeric for a deep flavor and color when marinating chicken, beef, or fish.
What Does Turmeric Tea Taste Like?
Now you are probably asking—how does turmeric tea taste? Will it be curry water in a cup? No! Trust me, it will not disappoint. Almost everybody widely enjoys turmeric tea as a comfort beverage.
Making turmeric into a tea often helps cut its bitterness if you want to drink it. This tea has a delicate, rich taste which is perfect for a cold day or when it’s just not your day. Making this tea can be fun as turmeric mixed with additional spices can increase your tea’s flavor.
Turmeric tea just tastes very healthy, not in a bad way, though.
It has a bit of kick when you add ingredients such as black pepper and cayenne paired with the sourness from lemon juice. Turmeric has a bitter but earthy taste, and all these flavors are balanced with a splash of sweet honey.
Apart from being a digestion aid, you can also use this mix in your weight loss journey.
Since this spice is so responsive, you can get a completely different taste if you mix cinnamon, ginger, and other ingredients. Talk about the range of character!
The Amazing Health Benefits Of Turmeric
Turmeric is extremely easy to add to your smoothies and curries and displays the following health benefits:
1. Reduces inflammation
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory effects that can help if you have chronic inflammation. A study showed that taking turmeric with prescription treatment experienced more relief. Making a turmeric paste and applying it to the affected area also helps.
2. It helps your immune system get stronger
Curcumin found in turmeric can impact important immune cells such as T cells. This strengthens your immune system, which helps to fight infections quicker.
3. Reduces risk of heart disease
Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant abilities can help reduce the risk of heart disease. It is also helpful alongside medication if you want to manage your cholesterol levels.
4. Reduces pain
Turmeric has been used in Ayurveda techniques and Chinese traditional medicine. Especially in pain resulting from osteoarthritis, turmeric paired with medical management provides a great deal of relief.
5. Supports brain health
Turmeric contains another active ingredient called turmerone. Although it is lesser-known, we find that it can be useful for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. It helps cell repair and supports the recovery of brain function.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to eat raw turmeric root?
Yes, but do you really want to subject your taste buds to this?
Raw turmeric root has extra pepperiness, pungency, and general sharpness that is not present in cooked turmeric. The raw version has a bitter taste which you will detest. However, you can suppress the taste with the help of sweeteners.
What foods taste best with turmeric?
In cooking, turmeric has a strong flavor, which means a little can really go a long way. Many soups, stews, Indian cuisine meals, and curries taste best with turmeric. The possibilities are endless!
What does turmeric golden milk taste like?
Golden milk kind of tastes like a chai latte—warm, spicy, and comforting. It is definitely an acquired taste, as turmeric is very bitter. However, this bitterness can be counteracted by simmering the tea, ginger, vanilla, and honey.
Conclusion
Turmeric’s flavor journey isn’t linear. It packs an earthy punch, some find resembling peppery ginger or even mustard, while others perceive a hint of citrusy sweetness. Ultimately, its magic lies in enhancing other flavors, adding warmth and depth to curries, stews, and even drinks.
Don’t be afraid to experiment! A pinch here, a dash there, and you’ll discover your own unique turmeric experience. Remember, a little goes a long way, so start slow and savor the possibilities!