There are few spices as versatile as turmeric. That’s a matter of simple fact. This golden spice, found in almost every Indian household, adds more than simply colour and flavour to food. Many other disciplines, such as medicine and cosmetics, also use this substance. If you are planning to buy turmeric powder, you must know that India is the world’s biggest producer of this spice, and it should not come as a surprise to anybody who claims that this is the country’s favorite spice. According to research by Statista, India exported a record 194.35 billion USD in 2019. This isn’t the end of the story.
Turmeric comes in more than 30 distinct kinds in India, each one specific to a particular location. It goes from Meghalaya’s Lakadong turmeric to Kerala’s IISR Alleppey Supreme, renowned for its flavor and fragrance. Depending on the geography and weather circumstances, these turmeric cultivars may be cultivated in rainfed or regulated irrigated settings. When it comes to distinguishing between the many forms of turmeric, scent, colour, and quality aren’t sufficient. Curcumin, turmeric’s most significant chemical ingredient, really steals the show.
Turmeric’s therapeutic benefits are attributed to a chemical component called curcumin. Curcumin is mostly to blame for the spice’s characteristic yellow hue. Take a glance at Indian turmeric cultivars.
Lakadong
Curcumin content in the Lakadong turmeric makes it a better spice, earning it the title of “world’s greatest turmeric.” Lakadong village’s picturesque hillocks are home to this special spice.
The curcumin content of this turmeric species ranges from 7 to 12 percent, making it one of the most potent. Curcumin concentrations range from 2 to 5 percent on average, depending on the turmeric. To grow this unique turmeric type, the farmers employ sustainable farming methods that do not use any artificial fertilisers.
Alleppey
In India’s southernmost state, Kerela, the town of Alleppey, Kerela, is where this turmeric is cultivated. With a curcumin content of 5% or more, this turmeric is helpful as a food colourant and a source of medicine, making Kerela’s turmeric one of the best in the world.
Madras
Turmeric of the Madras type may also be found in South India. This kind of turmeric is the most widely available in stores. It is yellow and has an average curcumin content of 3.5 percent.
Erode
After eight long years of battling for a GI label, this specific turmeric type finally received one in 2019. It has an average curcumin content of 2-4 percent. The Erode local cultivar is responsible for its vivid yellow colour.
Sangli
This turmeric is from Maharashtra, a state in India. It provides a plethora of therapeutic advantages and contributes to about 70 percent of the state’s total turmeric output.
Final Thoughts
There is still a lot of discussion about which sort of turmeric is the finest among the several varieties in India. Due to its high curcumin concentration, Lakadong turmeric stands out above all other turmeric varieties in terms of strength and fragrance. However, if we’re being honest and fair, we shouldn’t use potency and curcumin content alone as a yardstick for comparison.
When choosing whether or not to approve this, consideration must be given to several other factors when you decide to buy turmeric powder. To make this turmeric the most acceptable kind in India and worldwide, natural and traditional growing techniques and the non-use of artificial fertilisers play a crucial role.
Author Bio:
Alison Lurie is a farmer of words in the field of creativity. She is an experienced independent content writer with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry. She is a multi-niche content chef who loves cooking new things.