Meghalaya Turmeric - Do you Know Everything About It?
As the old proverb goes, you are what you eat. And when it comes to the food we consume on a daily basis, knowing where it comes from is essential. Our Indian cuisine is well-known for the unique combination of spices that we incorporate in it.
Every spice has a unique origin location that contributes to its authenticity and purity. Among the types of the golden spice turmeric, one of the most well-known types comes from Meghalaya. Known also as Lakadong turmeric, this miraculous yellow spice possesses numerous health benefits.
Let us take a closer look at the origins of this Meghalaya turmeric and the numerous advantages it provides.
How is the Cultivation of Lakadong/Meghalaya Turmeric Done?
Proper cultivation techniques are the key to Lakadong turmeric's exceptional flavour and richness. Cultivated and produced in the slopes of Meghalaya, the cultivation techniques have been perfected over numerous years to produce the best turmeric variety in India.
- March and April are the optimal months to start planting seeds for Meghalaya turmeric. During this time, Meghalaya receives mild rains, which aids farmers in properly preparing their farms for the sowing of Lakadong turmeric seeds.
- The cultivation process also involves ridding the soil of excess weeds and other non-necessary plants in order to provide the turmeric with adequate nourishment and space to thrive. The turmeric crop takes around 9 months to mature once the seeds are planted.
- Farmers promote the maximum quality of plant growth by providing adequate and timely irrigation and weed control.
What is the Harvest Season of Meghalaya Turmeric?
When it comes to harvesting the already sown Meghalaya turmeric, experienced farmers recommend December to January. The Lakadong turmeric leaves begin to wilt, indicating that it is ready to harvest. The turmeric rhizomes are then dug up from the ground. Farmers remove the dirt and earth from the rhizomes once they have been adequately removed.
Aroma, Texture, and Appearance of Meghalaya Turmeric
Meghalaya turmeric is one of the most exceptional and potent turmeric varieties due to its excellent taste and quality. This has a distinct aroma and texture that distinguishes it from other turmeric varieties. Lakadong turmeric is cultivated specifically in Meghalaya's Jaintia hills, where the temperature is ideal for the cultivation of turmeric.
It differs from conventional turmeric variants in few significant ways:
Colour:
The colour and texture of Lakadong turmeric truly distinguish it from other turmerics. Lakadong turmeric has a beautiful golden yellow colour that gives the cuisine its deep yellow colouring. Turmeric powders made from other varieties may seem dull compared with Lakadong turmeric's vibrant colour.
Texture:
Meghalaya turmeric has a distinct texture compared to other turmeric varieties, as it is smoother and more refined.
Aroma:
The aroma of Meghalaya turmeric is truly exquisite, giving you a mouth-watering sensation. Using Lakadong turmeric in your regular dishes will give you that rich or aromatic flavour.
Taste:
Known for its exquisite taste, Meghalaya turmeric has a rich and robust flavour. The spice enhances the flavour of the dish without dominating it, and it also brings out another spice's flavour.
But What is Unique about Lakadong or Meghalaya Turmeric?
Aside from the rich flavour, mouthwatering aroma, and smooth texture, Meghalaya turmeric has numerous other properties that set it apart from other turmeric variants. The main one being the curcumin content which makes it unique.
Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric that provides it its medicinal and therapeutic properties. Turmeric is considered a superfood owing to it’s high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory elements.
The average curcumin concentration of normal turmeric can range between 1 and 3%, but various studies have indicated that Lakadong turmeric is particularly special in terms of curcumin content. Curcumin levels in Lakadong turmeric can vary between 7 and 12% which is significantly higher than other turmeric varieties.
Meghalaya turmeric's high curcumin content gives significant efficacy and a variety of advantages.
What are the Benefits of Meghalaya turmeric?
Lakadong turmeric has an endless list of advantages. Here are some of the most important health benefits of consuming Meghalaya turmeric:
1. Anti-inflammatory Properties:
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and is associated with lowering the indications of ageing and assisting the body in fighting oxidative stress in the cells. The high curcumin content of Meghalaya turmeric is critical to its anti-inflammatory properties.
2. Antimicrobial and Natural:
Turmeric is frequently used as an antimicrobial and cleaning agent. It has long been utilized in ancient Indian Ayurvedic medicines to treat open wounds and bruises.
3. Controls Cholestrol:
Turmeric is also beneficial in lowering bad cholesterol levels in the body while increasing good cholesterol levels.
4. Improves Metabolism:
The regular intake is also associated to a healthy digestive system and a proper food digestion.
5. Keep Skin Healthy:
Turmeric is also important in skin care according to Indian Ayurveda. It is recognized to offer a variety of skin-beneficial properties. Lakadong tumeric is best for skin brghtness and glow.
6 Other Benefits:
It also provides various additional health advantages, including protection against illnesses such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, epilepsy, asthma, and arthritis.
How To Use Meghalaya Turmeric in Your Routine?
There are various methods to incorporate turmeric into your everyday routine:
- Turmeric Tea: Turmeric combined with boiling water, cinnamon, and ginger to taste makes a wonderful turmeric tea recipe.
- Turmeric Milk: a traditional Indian recipe, turmeric milk is made by blending half a spoonful of turmeric powder with milk. It has several health benefits and tastes absolutely delicious.
- Turmeric face mask: A turmeric face mask is another easy way to use turmeric for skin benefits. Turmeric combined with besan, milk, cold, honey, and lemon may help balance out your skin tone and clean up any leftover acne scars; it also gives your complexion a very subtle glow
- In curries: A pinch of turmeric in your everyday subzi’s and curries adds a gorgeous colour and subtle aroma to all the daals and veggies in your kitchen.
- Cosmetic: Turmeric is also utilized in the production of turmeric soap and shampoos, the use of turmeric to bruises, and the production of Golden honey.
Why Rooted Peepul?
- Rooted Peepul is your one-stop shop for real Lakadong turmeric from the foothills of Meghalaya. Our extensive crew assists in bringing the most authentic Lakadong turmeric from Meghalaya into your home.
- With over ten quality inspections, the Lakadong turmeric powder delivered to you is 100 percent natural and organic, ensuring that you enjoy the several benefits of turmeric.
- To retain the original texture and aroma of Lakadong turmeric, we realize the importance of offering adulteration-free turmeric with no processing, added ingredients, or chemicals.
Check Rooted Peepul for the purest organic Meghalaya turmeric at the best price.
FAQ
What is turmeric called in Meghalaya?
Turmeric cultivated in the foothills of Meghalaya, notably in the Jaintia hills, is known as Lakadong turmeric. It is one of the most powerful turmeric strains.
Which state has the best turmeric?
Meghalaya's state has the best turmeric variety among several others. The soil pH, the temperature and the environmental conditions of the Meghalaya state are effective for the growth of the best rhizomes.
Which turmeric has the highest curcumin?
Meghalaya turmeric has the highest content of curcumin. Compared to the normal curcumin content of 4 to 5% in regular turmeric, the content of Lakadong turmeric is more than 9%.
What is the best way to know if turmeric is pure?
There are a few visible clues and tests that can assist you establish whether the turmeric for consumption is toxin free:
Checking the colour of the turmeric, taking turmeric and your palm of your hand to check for texture, sniffing for aroma, and mixing it with water are all visual tests. Good quality Meghalaya turmeric is golden yellowish, smells extremely rich and earthy, and when mixed with water, it slowly dissolves.
Another tests are the several chemical tests, which can detect the presence of hazardous chemicals such as lead chromate or toxic metals.
Another way to make sure that the turmeric is pure, is buying only from the authentic sources, like Rooted Peepul.