Turmeric

Glorious, golden turmeric will stain anything it touches, including your fingers. The fresh rhizome looks a little like ginger, but with thinner, nubby fingers and a golden tan to the skin. Inside the flesh is livid orange. Peel first, then chop the fibrous flesh before grating or grinding to a paste (wearing gloves is advised!). Ground turmeric can be easier to use and does a good job of imparting the colour and earthy muskiness, however it lacks the pepper-ginger notes of fresh turmeric. No matter as you will likely be adding other rhizomes anyway. When you do have fresh turmeric, try the health elixir Turmeric jamu.