Curcuma longa

Figure 1. The Curcuma longa plant and flower.

Curcuma longa or the Tumeric plant is a flowering plant of the ginger family Zingiberaceae. The plant is a perennial, rhizomatous, herbaceous plant native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia region. Curcuma longa is harvested for its Tumeric rhizome (or "root"), and its rhizomes are used fresh or boiled in water and dried, after which they are ground into a deep orange-yellow powder commonly used as a colouring and flavouring agent in many Asian cuisines such as curries. Curcumin, which is the bright yellow chemical produced by Curcuma longa have long been used in Ayurvedic medicine and is commonly used as a food additive today.

For nutritional values, refer to the Codex entries for Tumeric.