An inch-long piece of turmeric root yields roughly 1/2 tsp. You can also dehydrate the fresh root to make your own dried turmeric powder. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 44,198 times. The fresh rhizomes store well if kept dry in the refrigerator - wipe dry if they are damp, then wrap with a paper towel before placing in a zip lock plastic bag. Not only does it impart its stunning, vibrant golden color to whatever it’s cooked with, it also adds its lovely peppery, warm and subtly bitter flavor. Like most raw produce, turmeric root has a relatively short shelf life in the refrigerator. allow mixture to boil on high flame until thickened. More expensive turmeric powders usually have a more robust, peppery flavor. Harvesting turmeric (Curcurma longa) is like digging up gold! Unlike turmeric in its dried form (for example, in powder-filled capsules), fresh turmeric is unfortunately perishable, and must be stored appropriately. If you bought it, who knows how far and wide your fresh turmeric root has traveled since it was pulled out of the ground. Avoid touching your clothes until you’ve washed your hands or removed the gloves. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. However, for many people who choose to buy fresh turmeric over the powdered root in its dried form, the question of how to correctly store the root becomes an issue. References However, if you’re reading this, I’m sure you already know that. All Rights Reserved. Even when stored correctly, it will only stay good for about a week or so. Fresh turmeric is less bitter than its dried counterpart and possesses an earthy aroma that will add oomph to everything from soups and stews to rice dishes and smoothies. For many who use turmeric for cooking, fresh turmeric is often preferred. I’ve been using it in everything from tea and smoothies to warm curries and stir-fries. This will help keep your roots stay fresh for longer. Or you can freeze it and use it for up to 6 months. However, storing in small batches is preferred as one can take out only the required amount from the fridge without thawing the whole turmeric stored. Perhaps you’ve noticed this beautiful orange root hanging out next to the ginger in your local produce section but found the idea of storing it rather daunting. One can store small knobs, turmeric slices, grated roots or the roots as a whole. Place the freshly cleaned rhizomes in a pot and cover them with water, bring them to a boil, and simmer until you can easily pierce them with a fork (depending on their size, this may take 45 to 60 minutes or longer). One of the most flavorful things you can do with fresh turmeric root is to stir it into a simple vinaigrette, which can be used in salads, as a marinade for tofu, or a topping for wraps and salads. It will keep in your refrigerator for a few weeks, or in your freezer for up to six months. 6 Popular Natural Ways to Combat Erectile Dysfunction, 8 Foolproof Ways to Keep Your Brain Sharp, How to Reduce Triglycerides in Ayurveda – 13 Natural Methods, 10 Natural Home Remedies for Dog Skin Allergies, © 2019 RootBabes. You can store it in a refrigerator for up to six months. Drain the cooked rhizomes, rub the skin off with your fingers (opti… Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. peel the skin of turmeric. I personally try to do my best in using the roots within the first 1-2 weeks after purchasing them instead of freezing – in my opinion, once the roots have been frozen, they lose a bit of their strong-bodied natural flavor. You can also make your own turmeric powder. Avoid touching your clothes until you’ve washed it off of your hands or removed your gloves. You can avoid this by wearing gloves. You can also sprinkle fresh turmeric over other dishes, like egg or tuna salad. Grate it or finely chop turmeric. If you're using a brush, angle it to get into all the corners of the gnarled root. In this case, 93% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. I’ve been digging up lots of turmeric from my food forest and kitchen garden over the years. You will want to avoid cutting the roots into smaller piece before freezing them to prevent them from drying out as much as you can, since extreme cold tends to dry the rhizomes out a bit. 2. Put 1-2 teaspoon of fresh turmeric root or 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a cup. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. We love turmeric root for so many reasons. To maximize the storage time, place your ginger in a freezer bag; press out most of the air and place it in the crisper drawer in your refrigerator. Wash the fresh turmeric root, using a brush to remove dirt. of powder. Turmeric goes down a treat in egg dishes. Unlike turmeric in its dried form (for example, in powder-filled capsules), fresh turmeric is unfortunately perishable, and must be stored appropriately. Storing fresh turmeric is more easy then dried turmeric. As turmeric pulled out of the ground and having some chemicals on it and to get rid all those germs and chemicals from turmeric roots, you just need to wash it off with warm water by using a brush. However, for many people who choose to buy fresh turmeric over the powdered root in its dried form, the question of how to correctly store the root becomes an issue. Angle the brush to get into all the nooks and crannies of the gnarled root. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Fresh Turmeric Vinaigrette. wikiHow's. Add raw honey and lemon to taste when the tea has cooled down. Store it in an open plastic bag in your vegetable crisper. Use a veggie brush to give the root a quick scrub, removing any dirt that is stuck to it. This is to help whisk away any moisture that might form as your roots cool off while in the refrigerator. Native to southern Asia, the roots of the turmeric plant have been used medicinally for thousands of years. If you purchase fresh roots and decide that you will not be using them within 1-2 weeks of your purchase, it may be a good idea to freeze the roots. Fresh turmeric can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks if it is left unpeeled. Last Updated: February 25, 2020 While turmeric is most commonly used in powder form, you can substitute fresh turmeric root in your recipes. Turmeric root will be slightly softer when defrosted, but will still taste good. Many people use fresh turmeric in sautés, smoothies, roasted vegetables, and rice dishes. If you have a recipe that uses mustard or saffron to … Fresh turmeric roots can be frozen in a variety of ways. The fresh rhizomes store well if kept dry in the refrigerator - wipe dry if they are damp, then wrap with a paper towel before placing in a zip lock plastic bag. How to Store Fresh turmeric can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks if it is left unpeeled. You can store fresh turmeric in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Grate fresh turmeric over soups and other savory dishes. Add punch to your eggs. A little of peeled and grated fresh turmeric root can make a healthy smoothie even healthier, plus the natural pigments in fresh turmeric help intensify the color of orange and yellow smoothies. Fresh turmeric root might be found in the produce or fresh herb section of a well-stocked grocery store, but is more likely to be found at a gourmet or health foods market or an Asian or Indian market. Recently i have been seeing these fresh turmeric roots sold … Not only is it used as a health supplement for its many positive effects on the human body (such as helping to ease inflammation), but it is also commonly used in a number of south Asian and Asian cuisines, giving yellow curry its robust color. If you decide to go this route, it is best to freeze the root in its whole form, simply wrapping it again with a paper towel and sealing inside a freezer bag. 5. Freezing it tempers the flavor some, but it allows you to have fresh turmeric on demand. Stored this way, it will keep for 2-3 weeks. If you hang on to it for too long, it will either dry out and shrivel or get moldy. Rhizomes will stay fresh in the fridge for up to six months in an airtight bag or container; toss them in the freezer to save them for longer. Cut the roots down to smaller bits, wrap in a paper towel to absorb excess moisture, place in a plastic container for later use. Drink a cup a day to help reduce inflammation. Turmeric in its fresh form tends to taste punchier and has a more robust, striking color. Tips to … 4. Fresh Turmeric Vinaigrette: Turmeric makes the basis of a colorful, flavorful simple vinaigrette, which accents pungent greens as well as Mediterranean-inspired salads. I use it every day and love it fresh – in juices, grated in salad, but also in curries, egg dishes, teas, soups and rice. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The storage will be the same for either method. More recently, it has grown popular for its potent anti-inflammatory ability, among other positive health benefits. Thoroughly drying the root will help avoid freezer burn. Turmeric, that beautiful golden Indian spice, is valued for its anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties.While using the dried form is great in a pinch, you shouldn't overlook fresh turmeric root. Turmeric is one of they most beneficial foods that can help reverse many ailments. Place each round of ground powder into the airtight container you’ll use to store the spice. Alternately, you can store fresh turmeric root in a rolled up paper bag. Oil should be liquid before you proceed. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Fresh turmeric root actually stores easily and keeps well. how to preserve fresh turmeric recipe with step by step photos: – Wash turmeric first. Uses for Fresh Turmeric Root… If you just harvested it, it likely still has dirt on it. The paper bag will work similarly to the paper towel, by absorbing excess moisture. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. You can use a coffee grinder to grind spices, just never use it for coffee! Heat up a bowl of your favorite soup for lunch or dinner. When doing your shopping, the roots themselves (also known as rhizomes) look similar to ginger. To make a turmeric-enriched smoothie, add a teaspoon or two of peeled and grated turmeric … A member of the ginger family, it has been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicines for centuries to heal wounds, treat skin conditions, inflammations, and infections. "Never working with turmeric root before, this helped with the storage and keeping it fresh to use.". Whether you bought the turmeric root from the market or grew it at home, cleaning it is very important. Fresh Turmeric Root. Freezer burn can make food taste unappealing, so it is worth the time it takes to dry the turmeric to avoid having to throw it away after a month in your freezer. Fresh turmeric, also called Kachchi Haldi, is the undried, unprocessed root that powdered turmeric is made from. It's best to store ginger in the refrigerator intact, with the peel still on. Look for turmeric roots that are firm and not shriveled or soft. It is best to use gloves when working with cut turmeric. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Hot water and a bit of dish soap should do the trick. Once you remove the mold, make sure you also replace the paper towel as well. By using our site, you agree to our. You can avoid this by wearing gloves. Fresh Turmeric Root Ginger Garlic Paste – How to make turmeric root paste – how to store fresh turmeric root – how to cook fresh turmeric root – – Turmeric in general is known for its antiseptic properties, the yellow compound found in them is called curcumin has many anti oxidant properties helps to heal many ailments. Wash your turmeric root, shake it dry, and then wrap it in a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture. Yesterday Faith shared her list of essential grocery items to get your year started on the right foot, and ginger root is at the top of my list. It takes 10 mins approx. Place roughly equal parts of … Follow proper conversion ratios for best results. Approved. Turmeric will stain your hands a yellow/orange color. Fresh Turmeric. bring sugar and water in the pan. This herb is one of the most nutritional and truly versatile supplements in existence, and has been studied for its exhaustive list of benefits on both the body and brain. You can store cut ginger in the refrigerator, but it won't keep as long. Fresh turmeric root is incredibly versatile. Use your fingers or a veggie brush to give the root a quick scrub, removing any dirt that is stuck to it. by RootBabes | Feb 4, 2019 | Stress, Turmeric. instructions Place the freshly grated turmeric and/or ginger in bottom of wide mouth quart jar. Store the fresh turmeric in the refrigerator and it will keep for a month or so. Be sure to set a few of the largest aside for replanting! We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Along with providing the same anti-inflammatory benefits as turmeric in its dried form, the fresh root is also known for many additional benefits such as boosting digestion, relieving stomach ulcers and irritation, and purifying the blood. If any mold has appeared on the surface of the skin, remove them with a knife or hand grater, ensuring that you’ve removed a bit of the infected skin with it. Use it as a Substitute for Mustard or Saffron. Remove the mold: check back in on your roots every few days if you don’t plan on using them right away. A little bit of skin is okay, so don’t stress if you can’t remove the skin from especially challenging corners of the root. Fresh turmeric doesn't have a long shelf life -- it usually lasts about one to two weeks in the refrigerator. It looks a bit like ginger root. You can also use a resealable plastic bag, though an airtight container is the best option. Place oil with lid ON TIGHT in a pot of warm water for 20 minutes. There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Fresh and raw is best though – it’s more potent that way. However, for many people who choose to buy fresh turmeric over the powdered root in its dried form, the question of how to correctly store the root becomes an issue. Fresh turmeric is a bright orange root-like subterranean stem (aka a rhizome) known for powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. Unlike turmeric in its dried form (for example, in powder-filled capsules), fresh turmeric is unfortunately perishable, and must be stored appropriately. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, turmeric is a powerful antioxidant that also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. You get the natural turmeric oils and other beneficial compounds present in turmeric root which are missing from turmeric powder. How to Store Fresh Turmeric Root If you’d prefer to store fresh turmeric root outside of the freezer, you can store it in the fridge or on the counter. It’s bright and fresh with just the right amount of zing. You can use a microplaner to grate the frozen turmeric root if you don’t want to wait for the knob to thaw. If you notice any mold developing, cut off the moldy spot and replace the paper towel. Fill with boiling water, cover and let infuse for 5 minutes. The easiest way to freeze fresh turmeric root is to scrub the knobs to remove any dirt, and then freeze the knobs whole in freezer-safe bags that have as little air inside as possible. now, take a deep pan. Designed by. You will probably also find luck checking health food stores or Asian and Indian produce stores. boil for 2 min high flame. The best roots to choose should be firm to the touch, so make sure to avoid shriveled, dried, or soft roots. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. % of people told us that this article helped them. Seal it: although you can seal it using a plastic bag or Tupperware, we prefer storing our Turmeric in an airtight Tupperware container after wrapping it in a paper towel. Turmeric will stain your hands a yellow/orange color. This article has been viewed 44,198 times. Harvested it, it will keep for 2-3 weeks three weeks if it is best –... 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From the market or grew it at home, cleaning it is how to store fresh turmeric root though – ’. Who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status keeps... Receive emails according to our you are using the roots of the.... You grind will taste like coffee, using a brush, angle it to get into all the corners the... A month or so is very important bought the turmeric plant have been medicinally. With lid on TIGHT in a pot of warm water for 20 minutes you agree to our roots to should. Small knobs, turmeric dehydrate the fresh turmeric is often preferred fingers or a veggie brush remove. Tea has cooled down long, it likely still has dirt on it root. For cooking, fresh turmeric root has been read 44,198 times and raw is best to store fresh root. Two weeks with step by step photos: – wash turmeric first until ’! For about a week or so frozen turmeric root in your food, go ahead and get a brand. 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