Turmeric - Wonder spice of every Indian Household.

The West has discovered turmeric only in the last decade or so and has lost no time in touting it as a “superfood”. But in India, turmeric has been a staple ingredient for centuries.

Yesterday I went to Starbucks just because my friends were super excited about this newly hyped beverage everyone was talking about. I just tagged along with them. Then my friend went ahead and ordered the same beverage for all of us. The name of this "hot and soothing" beverage (for which apparently everyone was going crazy about) was Golden Latté. After it was served I realized it was basically "Haldi doodh".So the same thing which my Mom used to give me EVERYDAY when I was child. Even today whenever I'm suffering through a cold or a sore throat, I have this drink and it makes everything much better.

Turmeric, scientifically called as Curcuma longa and popularly we Indians call it Haldi. Haldi is termed as the wonder spice of every Indian household.

The use of turmeric dates back to 4000 thousand years of Vedic culture. Haldi was the major part in Ayurvedic medicine back then and even now.

From India, it spread to Southeast Asia along with Hinduism and Buddhism, as the yellow dye is used to color the robes of monks and priests. But later they too realized it was much more than a dye.

In Indian Households

In India, turmeric has been a staple kitchen ingredient for a long time, used both in its original rhizome or root form, and also powdered form. Haldi doodh, turmeric kulfi, mint and turmeric chutney, detox haldi tea and other mouthwatering Indian hot curries are common dishes we Indians use Haldi in.