Black Turmeric

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Common Name:

Black Turmeric

Botanical Name:

Curcuma caesia

Family Name:

Zingiberaceae

Exposure:

Full sun to semi-shade

Common uses:

Black turmeric is a fascinating plant with a light blue hue in the tubers compared to the traditional yellow or orange turmeric species. It is important to note that this is a sub species on its own and not a cultivated variety. The name “Black Turmeric” is actually derived from the Hindi name of the plant which is Kali Haldi. Kali is the feminine form of Kala which Means “Black”. Cooking with black turmeric is fascinating. It has a more peppery taste and a bit more earthy than regular turmeric. Itis praised in ayurvedic medicine for its ability to soothe painful joints and has powerful anti-inflammatory actions. This is mostly attributed to its high curcumin content which is one of the main active ingredients. Black turmeric is also reported to have much higher concentrations of curcumin compared to regular turmeric.

Growing:

The plants grow easy in moist rich soil and has spectacular flowers in mid-summer. They need regular watering and can be grown in large pots if fed with liquid fertilizer once a month. They go dormant in the early winter months, and this is the ideal time to harvest, but make sure to leave a few tubers in the ground for the next season’s growth.