Category: Spice
Turmeric is a bright yellow spice that comes from the turmeric plant, which is native to India and Southeast Asia. It is commonly used in cooking to add color and flavor to dishes, as well as for its potential health benefits. Turmeric has a warm, slightly bitter taste and a peppery aroma. It is often used in curry powders, sauces, and marinades, and can also be brewed into a tea or taken as a supplement. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and is believed to have various health benefits, including reducing inflammation, improving digestion, and boosting the immune system.
Flavor Profiles:
- Earthy
- Peppery
- Bitter
What goes with Turmeric:
- Honey – Honey pairs well with turmeric due to its natural sweetness that helps balance out the earthy and slightly bitter flavor of the spice.
- Coconut Oil – Coconut oil can help increase the absorption of curcumin in the body, as it is fat-soluble.
- Fish – The omega-3 fatty acids in fish can help increase the absorption of curcumin, and both turmeric and fish have heart-healthy benefits.
- Chicken – Chicken pairs well with turmeric because the spice adds a warm, earthy flavor that complements the mild taste of the chicken.
- Garlic – Garlic pairs well with turmeric due to its pungent flavor and ability to enhance the earthy and warm notes of the spice.
- Olive Oil – Olive oil pairs well with turmeric because it helps to enhance the absorption of curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Cinnamon – Cinnamon pairs well with turmeric due to their complementary warm and earthy flavors.
- Cayenne Pepper –
- Coconut Milk – The creamy texture and mild flavor of coconut milk complements turmeric well, while the fat content helps the body absorb curcumin.
- Cumin – Cumin shares similar earthy, warm notes with turmeric, creating a harmonious balance in various dishes, such as stews and curries.
- Onion – Onion pairs well with turmeric because their flavors complement each other, creating a harmonious and balanced taste profile.
- Coriander – Coriander pairs well with turmeric due to their complementary flavors and ability to enhance the overall taste of a dish.
- Ginger – Both turmeric and ginger have anti-inflammatory properties and can complement each other in various dishes like stir-fries, soups, and teas.
- Lemon Juice – Lemon juice pairs well with turmeric because its acidity helps to enhance the flavor of the spice and balance out its earthy notes.
- Salt – Salt pairs well with turmeric because it enhances the flavor and brings out the earthy and warm notes of the spice.
- Pepper – Pepper pairs well with turmeric because it helps to enhance the absorption of curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, in the body.
- Pineapple – Pineapple’s enzyme bromelain enhances turmeric’s anti-inflammatory effects and provides a sweet contrast to turmeric’s earthy flavor.
- Leafy Greens – Leafy greens, such as kale and spinach, are high in vitamin C and other antioxidants, which can help enhance the anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric.
- Parsley – Parsley pairs well with turmeric due to its fresh and slightly peppery flavor that complements the warm and earthy notes of the spice.
- Black Pepper – Black pepper contains piperine, a compound that can increase the bioavailability of curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, by up to 2000%.
- Mixed Vegetables – Mixed vegetables pair well with turmeric due to the spice’s warm, earthy flavor that complements the variety of vegetables in the dish.