Turmeric powder is a popular spice used primarily in Asian cuisines. It also comes with many health benefits. Making it at home is easy and cost-effective.
What is turmeric
It is a spice that comes from the turmeric plant. It is commonly used in Asian food and is known as Haldi in Hindi.
Turmeric can be found in the stem of the Curcuma Longa plant. The root resembles ginger and is bitter to taste if eaten raw. Its most popular form of consumption is in its powder form.
Curcumin, the main active ingredient in Haldi has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.
What does it taste like
It is mildly aromatic and has scents of orange or ginger. It has a pungent, bitter flavor. Its slightly warm and peppery flavor works well with most vegetables and fruits.
It’s also gluten- and dairy-free. Be it sweet or savory, you can use it in any recipe. It's used extensively in cooking and even a small amount aids in digestion.
Uses of turmeric
It can be used in many different ways and not just in the kitchen.
- It is also used during religious functions in India and is considered very pious in Hindu tradition
- Also used as a natural dye
- It does wonders on the skin and is used in many beauty treatments
- Has a lot of medicinal properties
- It's applied over cuts and burns because it has strong antibacterial properties, which can help heal cuts and protect them from infection
- Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it helps heal colds and coughs
- In Hindu culture, we use it even at our weddings. Because turmeric is associated with fertility and prosperity, it is used during the Haldi ceremony at our weddings.
- The powder is mixed with water to form a thick paste and family members apply it to the bride and groom's face and body. It's a fun-filled pre-wedding ceremony.
- Haldi is used to symbolize both inner purity and inner pride. Turmeric water is offered to the gods in the temples as part of a Hindu ritual called Abhishekam.
Why make it at home
Most store-bought spice mixes are processed, not fresh, of poor quality, and unnaturally enhanced by adding food color to make it look more authentic, not organic, and expensive.
Back home, it is a common practice to make spice mixes at home. I have seen my grandma, mom, MIL, and aunts do this and now I do it too.
Back then, there were large families staying together, so these spice powders would be made in bulk and stored. Today, however, I make it in small batches based on our daily consumption.
Besides Haldi, some other frequently made spice mixes are Sambhar Powder, Molagapodi, Garam Masala, and Coriander Cumin Powder.
It is one of the easiest things to prepare this recipe at home.
- Needs just 1 ingredient - Fresh turmeric root
- It literally is just a 4 step process - Wash - Boil - Dry - Grind
- However, the process takes a week
How to make it
- Wash the roots thoroughly under running water for a minute.
- Boil water in a pan and then immerse these roots in it.
- Let it boil for 45 minutes on low-medium flame. Froth will begin to appear at the top.
- Drain the water. Roughly chop the roots after they have cooled down completely.
- Place a kitchen towel over a disposable plate to soak in the excess water.
- Spread the chopped roots over it.
- Do not crowd them, use multiple plates if needed. Spread them out evenly.
- You need not keep it in direct sunlight all the time. A well-lit, ventilated area by the window should do the job.
- Leave it there for a week. Keep tossing it every other day to ensure even drying.
- Over the week, you will notice that the roots will begin to shrink and get dried up. That is what we want.
- Grind into a fine powder.
- Depending on the power of your food processor or blender, you may want to sift the powder through a sieve and return large pieces to your food mill.
- Store the freshly prepared spice powder in an airtight container.
Serving suggestions
Homemade Haldi has a natural dark yellow-orange color. It is very aromatic and has a strong earthy flavor that you will love.
Enjoy this non-adulterated homemade spice mix in any recipe. Here are some of my recommendations:
- Use it in smoothies.
- Make the famous Golden Milk. This one is dairy-free.
- Add them to Dal.
- Flavor curries, gravies, and chili with it.
- Add color to bland-looking dishes like rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, etc.
- Pancakes and crepes.
- Add them to soups.
- Flavor salads.
- Pump up the pasta.
- Use as a natural food color.
- Sprinkle over Avocado toast.
- Feel free to experiment with it in any sweet or savory recipe.
Top recipe tips
Work with gloves, paper towels, and disposable plates to avoid staining your hands and crockery.
In case you do stain your hands while working with it, make a paste with lemon juice and baking soda and apply it over your hands. It’s super effective at removing these stains.
Fresh turmeric has a short shelf life and you have to immediately dry and powder it. It also takes longer to dry but will give you the most authentic spice mix!
Remember, just a teaspoon can go a long way! In most recipes, you will only need to add a maximum of one teaspoon to give it the required flavor and color.
Recipe FAQs
You can find fresh and dried roots in Asian/Indian grocery stores and even leading grocery stores like Publix. You can buy from Amazon as well.
Choosing good quality turmeric is critical. Get organic, chemical-free fresh roots.
Select big, smooth roots that are mold-free.
Turmeric rhizomes cannot be dried just like that. They need to be boiled first. Boiling softens the roots & makes the drying process quicker.
It helps remove the raw odor coming from these roots & helps kill germs present in the soil. No need to cover the pan while it's boiling.
Directly use dried turmeric. Grind it to a fine powder using a high-power blender. This way, you end up saving more time.
It is a week-long process and depends on the weather and temperature. Place them by the window sill where there is ample sunlight and ventilation.
You can even dry it under direct sunlight or use an electric food dehydrator. Sun-dry until the roots become crisp or else the powder will spoil easily. The desired texture is dry and crisp, almost brittle to the touch.
Use a high-powered blender like a coffee grinder or an Indian Blender. Steel or glass jar blenders are preferred because it's easy to clean the stains.
Grind when it's still crisp. This will ensure fine grinding.
It stays good easily for 6 months if stored properly in an airtight container.
Use a glass jar instead of plastic as it's easy to clean and remove stains.
The container should be free of any moisture, and clean. Store it in a cool place. There is no need to refrigerate it.
More recipes to make using turmeric powder
Listen to this recipe on our Podcast Channel!
Ease into Indian vegan/vegetarian cooking and work your way up from simple spice mixes to complex curries.
My food blog Cookilicious features a collection of detailed, mouth-watering vegetarian and vegan recipes.
This is our seventh episode, in which I have shared the recipe for Instant Potato Dosa. This is a delicious breakfast dish from Southern India.
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This is the Chutney I recommend pairing this Dosa with. I spoke about it in Episode 6:
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- Quinoa Dosa
- Instant Carrot & Oats Dosa/Crepes
- Masala Dosa with Sweet Potato Filling
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Homemade Turmeric powder
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 lb Turmeric roots
- Water to boil
Instructions
- Wash the turmeric roots thoroughly under running water for a minute.
- Boil water in a pan and then immerse these roots in it.
- Let it boil for 45 minutes on low-medium flame. Froth will begin to appear at the top.
- Drain the water. Roughly chop the roots after they have cooled down completely.
- Place a kitchen towel over a disposable plate to soak in the excess water.
- Spread the chopped roots over it.
- Do not crowd them, use multiple plates if needed. Spread them out evenly.
- You need not keep it in direct sunlight all the time. A well-lit, ventilated area by the window should do the job.
- Leave it there for a week. Keep tossing it every other day to ensure even drying.
- Over the week, you will notice that the roots will begin to shrink and get dried up. That is what we want.
- Grind the turmeric into a fine powder.
- Depending on the power of your food processor or blender, you may want to sift the powder through a sieve and return large pieces to your food mill.
- Once cooled down, store the freshly prepared turmeric powder in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
Trying it already. My turmeric is on slow boil. Can't wait to have my home made turmeric!! Thank you so much for this wonderful share!
One quick question though - can i store dried turmeric for a couple days and then blend it? Or do i have to blend it immediately?!
Thank you so much. Glad you found the recipe useful. Yes, you can. I usually grind it immediately.
Very well explained. Turmeric is widely used in Ayurveda (Ancient Indian Medication). I learned about turmeric from iahas.com and since then I am a big fan of this spice. I have tried a couple of tea and milk using turmeric. It tastes good actually. I will add your blog to my list.
Thank you so much.
So no need to peel the turmeric?
Yes, no need to peel it
I love how you explain the procedure step by step through pictures and text. Such an informative post!!!
Really liked it!!!
Thank you
This is such a lovely and informative post. Thanks for such wonderful knowledge. Love the health and medicinal benefits it has and the amazing uses too. Homemade is the best.
Glad you liked it. Yes, it is a very good and useful spice
Wow, what a cool recipe. I love the styling and your photography is perfect. I have never even thought to make turmeric powder but you make it look so easy. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much. 🙂
This is so cool! I love drying my own herbs and making my own spices!
I know right? Making it at home is so much fun
Wow! I love turmeric and use it almost everyday! I've never thought to make my own but now I'm going to have to give it a try!
Yes, do try it..its so easy to make
I genuinely believe that everything made at home tastes better, and this popular spice is not an exception. Thanks for sharing tips: you just answered to each question possible and impossible. 🙂
Thank you so much 🙂
Kudos to you for write-up, in fact have made a lot of mistake until I saw this and really helpful, once again tnx u so much
I am so happy to hear that! Thank you
Nicely elaborated thanks for the trick, I hope you will not mind the pic of haldi to be used!!!!!!!!
Thanks. As far as credit is given to me, you can use the pic. Please let me know once you use it and share it with me as well.
Thanks for this write-up, it's very helpful.
I am glad you found it helpful.