Food - Drink
The Difference Between Fresh And Dried Turmeric
By CLAIRE REDDEN
Turmeric, or Curcuma longa, is part of the Zingiberaceae family, along with many other spices like cardamom, ginger, and arrowroot. Turmeric is typically sold as a raw, fresh root or dried and ground into a powder, and to get the most out of the spice for your particular needs, you should know the differences between its two common forms.
Turmeric's vivid color and health benefits come from curcumin, an active component that is said to aid with prevention and treatment of diseases including diabetes, psoriasis, and arthritis. This nutrient is best absorbed by the body when consuming fresh turmeric, so if you're after health benefits, the fresh root may be the best choice for you.
On the other hand, dried turmeric has a far longer shelf life than fresh, so it may be the option for you if you want to save money or don't use turmeric often. Dried turmeric can last for years in your pantry, but you can only store fresh turmeric root in your refrigerator for about two weeks, and it will last in your freezer for up to six months.
Fresh turmeric has a vibrant and robust flavor, but dried turmeric is much more subdued, and while fresh turmeric is best for juices, smoothies, golden milk lattes, or tea, dried is best for cooked dishes. If you want to substitute fresh turmeric for dried, you'll need to use three times as much of the spice as your recipe calls for.