Turmeric powder is a bright yellow spice powder made from dried turmeric rhizomes. While its slightly peppery and warm flavour; vibrant colour; and preservative properties make it a great culinary ingredient, the presence of 'curcumin' makes is suitable for cosmetic and medicinal purposes too. Records show that turmeric has been used for such purposes as early as 3000 years ago, during the ancient Vedic times. Turmeric is also used in Hindi spiritual ceremonies and prayers. It is suggested to have between 1 gram to 3 grams daily.
Turmeric has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, which integrates the medicinal properties of herbs with food. Turmeric is a spice that comes from the turmeric plant. It is commonly used in Indian Foods. It has a warm, bitter taste and is frequently used to flavor or color curry powders, mustards, butter, and cheeses. But the root of turmeric is also used widely to make medicine. It contains a yellow-colored chemical called curcumin, which is often used to color foods and cosmetics. Turmeric Contains Bioactive Compounds with powerful medicinal properties. Value-added products are raw agricultural products that have been modified or enhanced to have a higher market value and/or a longer shelf life.
There are many values added products that can be made using turmeric that have huge commercial acceptability in the market as well as health benefits. Some of the examples are Turmeric Oleoresin/Extract, Haldi Drops, Curcumin Powder, Turmeric Milk etc.
1. Turmeric Oleoresin
Turmeric Oleoresin is a resin-like viscous material obtained when a spice is extracted with a hydrocarbon solvent. Turmeric oleoresin is being used increasingly by the processed food industries in the West to impart colour and aroma. Oleoresin is a mixture of compounds, namely curcumin, volatile oil, and other active ingredients, non-volatile fatty and resinous material extractable by solvents, used singly, in sequence, or in combination. Turmeric oleoresin is orange–red in colour and consists of an upper oily layer and a lower crystalline layer. Turmeric oleoresin is often used for flavoring and coloring in a wide range of beverages and food products and it has very wide acceptance among consumers.
2. Turmeric/Haldi Drops
Turmeric/Haldi is considered to be a natural remedy to a plethora of diseases for ages. Haldi drops are the water-soluble extracts of Turmeric that contain Curcumin as an active ingredient. Curcumin extract help boosts immunity and reduces inflammation. Haldi drops have antioxidant properties and help to cure cough and cold. It is also good for the skin and joint health. It has benefits for overall health and skin issues. Haldi drops can be missed in the water, milk juice, or any other beverages and can be consumed.
3. Curcumin Powder
Curcumin is a bright yellow chemical produced by plants of the Curcuma longa species. It is the principal curcuminoid of turmeric (Curcuma longa), a member of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. The most common applications are as an ingredient in dietary supplements, cosmetics, flavoring for foods, such as turmeric-flavored beverages in South and Southeast Asia. It is also widely used as a coloring agent for food products, such as curry powder, mustard, butter, cheese. As a food additive for orange-yellow coloring in prepared foods, its E number is E 100 in the European Union. It is also approved by the U.S. FDA to be used as a food coloring in the USA.
4. Haldi Doodh/ Golden (Turmeric) Milk
Golden milk, also known as turmeric milk/Haldi Doodh, is an Indian drink that has been gaining popularity in Western cultures. This bright yellow beverage is traditionally made by warming up cow or plant-based milk with turmeric and other spices, such as cinnamon and ginger. Enriched with the goodness of nature, turmeric has some amazing antiseptic, anti-inflammatory properties, anti-microbial, anti-allergic properties, which further help in preventing as well as curing several diseases. In fact, a blend of turmeric and hot milk a day can keep several diseases at bay. It is a great home remedy beverage for cough, congestion, colds, and skin problems. Many Prominent Food FMCG’s such as Amul, Mother Dairy, Dabur are commercially selling Turmeric milk in the market. It is in fact getting immense popularity among consumers in India as per market trends.
