What does turmeric taste like? Do you wonder if it’s disgusting?
My name is Cindy, and up until a few months ago, I didn’t have the slightest idea how turmeric tastes like. I had heard a great deal about the benefits of turmeric from some people, but I hadn’t tried it before and wasn’t sure about using it.
There were some things that I didn’t know about this herb, so I decided to research it a little. Read further to find out how turmeric tastes like and what other herbs go well with it.
What Does Turmeric Taste Like?
It is a truth that Turmeric doesn’t have a delicious taste. It has a bitter flavor and possesses a mildly aromatic scent.
Because of its pungent and bitter taste, turmeric can’t be eaten raw. It is usually used in curries for adding flavor as well as color.
Moreover, turmeric is also frequently used in pickles since it adds a nice flavor to them.
So, if you plan on using turmeric, it would be best to use it to make a curry or pickles as its bitter taste won’t let you eat it in its raw form.
Here are recommended turmeric sellers and link to post with the best turmeric brands to buy from:
ORGANIC TUMERIC Root Powder |
Simply Organic Turmeric Root |
Turmeric Curcumin Supplement |
Organic Turmeric with Meadowsweet and Ginger Tea |
What Does Turmeric Look Like?
Turmeric is a root and comes from a plant by the name of Curcuma Longa, which belongs to the ginger family. Many people don’t know the difference between curcumin and turmeric.
In its raw form, turmeric bears a striking resemblance to ginger (Ginger vs. Turmeric).
However, turmeric has a bright orange flesh as opposed to the yellow of ginger. Moreover, it has tough brown skin, as noted by Spice Advice which is hard to peel off.
What Does Turmeric Tea Taste Like?
Aside from being used in curries, turmeric can also be used in the form of tea.
Turmeric tea does not taste as bitter as raw turmeric because it is made using some other herbs and spices.
Turmeric tea is quite soothing and has a vibrant flavor. The following are some recipes for turmeric tea that you can easily prepare at home and use daily.
Simple Turmeric Tea
- Take one cup of water in a pan and set it to a boil.
- When the water boils, please turn off the heat and add one teaspoon of ground turmeric, ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper, and fresh lemon juice in it.
- Pour out the brew in a mug and stir it thoroughly before serving.
- You can add honey or any other sweetener of your choice to the tea if you like.
Turmeric Ginger Warming Tea
- Take one teaspoon each of green tea and ground turmeric, ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and ginger, and a few black pepper grinds.
- Add all of these ingredients into a teapot and pour one cup of hot water into it.
- Close the lid of the teapot and let the brew steep for about 2 minutes.
- Strain the tea into a mug using a strainer and add any sweetener of your choice before serving.
Creamy Turmeric Tea
- Take ¾ cup water in a pan and set it to boil.
- When the water boils, please turn off the heat and add ¼ cup of almond, coconut, or cow milk, one teaspoon ground turmeric, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom, and a pinch of ground black pepper in it.
- Pour out the brew in a mug and stir it thoroughly before serving.
- You can add honey or any other sweetener of your choice to the tea if you like.
What Does Turmeric Powder Taste Like?
Turmeric is available in two forms in the market, in the form of a root and as a powder.
Turmeric in its root form isn’t used for cooking purposes. It has to be converted into ground form before it can be used in a dish.
You can convert root turmeric into turmeric powder by boiling the root and then drying and grounding it.
Ground or powdered turmeric usually has a deep yellowish-orange color and is used as a spice and food color in sub-continental cuisine.
You can also use it for dyeing purposes as well. Turmeric powder has the same bitter and spicy taste as raw turmeric.
How to Make Turmeric Taste Better?
Most people avoid using turmeric because of its bitter taste. However, there are some ways through which you can make turmeric taste better.
For instance, one way of doing this is to mix one teaspoon of turmeric and two tablespoons of honey into half a cup of orange juice.
The sweetness of the honey and the acidity of the orange juice will mask the bland flavor of turmeric, thus allowing you to consume it without difficulty.
Another way of masking turmeric’s bitter taste is to add one teaspoon of turmeric and 1/8th teaspoon of cinnamon to hot chocolate.
You can also make turmeric taste better by making turmeric tea.
What Other Herbs Go Well With Turmeric?
Turmeric goes well with almost all herbs. Some of the herbs you can use alongside turmeric include ginger, cardamom, cumin, garlic, cinnamon, and coriander.
However, when used in combination with turmeric, there is one herb that enhances its flavor and its medicinal benefits, black pepper.
Conclusion
To sum it up, turmeric has a pungent and bitter taste when consumed in raw or powdered form.
You can make turmeric taste better by using it with other herbs and spices like black pepper or ginger.
You can also consume powdered turmeric by using it for making savory Indian dishes.
Turmeric tea has a very flavorful and soothing taste and can be prepared easily at home.
I have personally found turmeric tea to be the best means of consuming turmeric.
If you have any questions regarding turmeric, don’t hesitate to ask them in the comments section below.
I enjoy powdered turmeric with cinnamon on rye toast and honey in the morning. I really don’t notice the taste of tumeric but do appreciate the healthy benefits. One of these days, I will use it in my chocolate making with all natural ingredients, probably as part of a savory flight of truffles.
Hi Doug,
Thanks for the tips. Turmeric is so healthy it would be a shame to skip it just because of the taste.
Can this herb help with swelling of the feet and ankles?
Yes, it can also help with swelling as turmeric is powerful anti-inflammatory herb. Check this recipe for exact ingredients and instructions: http://theprovidenthomemaker.com/1/post/2013/08/relieve-swelling-with-turmeric.html
I think fresh turmeric root is delicious. You’re supposed to mix it with something – cream, coconut milk. Sweet or savory, the root is light years different from the bitter dried powder.
Hello Cindy,
My name is dougy John III. I was just having some curiositys about the nutritional benifits of eating a completely kale diet. Currently, my favorite foods are miracle whip, olive loaf, and bacon grease. Can i put ez cheese on the kale to make it more nutri? Anyways thankjs for the help!
Yours Truly,
DougyJohn.
I don’t like the pepper taste in turmeric tea. What is the least I can use in 1 cup water.