Turmeric

Rich, golden yellow Turmeric powder is a store-cupboard essential. One of the active ingredients is curcumin which has a distinctly earthy, slightly bitter, almost peppery flavour with a mustardy smell. As well as flavour, it imparts a rich yellow colour to food like curries is also widely using in pickling mustards. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant  antiviral characteristics; other compounds have antibacterial antifungal properties too. Add to curries, tagines, soups, stews, sauces  marinades; it is even popular as a substitute for saffron in rice dishes.