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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Turmeric

Turmeric is a flowering plant in the ginger family, scientifically known as Curcuma longa.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Turmeric is a flowering plant in the ginger family, scientifically known as Curcuma longa. It is native to South Asia and Southeast Asia and is widely cultivated for its bright yellow rhizome, which is dried and ground into a spice and dye. Turmeric has long been used in cooking, traditional medicine, and as a colouring agent.

Botany

Turmeric is a perennial herbaceous plant with rhizomes, large leaves, and flowers in the ginger family. It is cultivated in tropical climates and is not generally known to grow wild.

Uses

The rhizome is boiled, dried, and ground into a powder used in cooking, food colouring, and dyeing. It has also been used in traditional medicine and herbal preparations.

History and cultivation

Turmeric has been cultivated in South Asia for centuries and is strongly associated with Indian agriculture and cuisine. It is now grown widely across tropical regions.

Chemistry and colour

Turmeric’s yellow colour comes mainly from curcumin and related curcuminoids. These compounds have been studied for possible antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Key facts

  • Turmeric is the dried rhizome of Curcuma longa, a plant in the ginger family.
  • The plant is native to tropical South Asia and Southeast Asia.
  • Its rhizome has a vivid yellow colour and is used as a spice and colouring agent.
  • Curcumin is the main pigment associated with turmeric’s colour.
  • Turmeric has a long history of use in traditional Asian medicine.
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Canadian context

Turmeric is widely sold in Canada as a cooking spice, food colouring, and ingredient in dietary supplements and herbal products.

Frequently asked questions

What is turmeric?
Turmeric is a plant species, Curcuma longa, and the dried rhizome of that plant used as a spice and colouring agent.
What family does turmeric belong to?
Turmeric belongs to the ginger family, Zingiberaceae.
Where is turmeric native to?
Turmeric is native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
What is turmeric used for?
It is used as a culinary spice, food colouring, dye, and in traditional medicine.
What gives turmeric its yellow colour?
The main yellow pigment in turmeric is curcumin.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turmeric
    Supports: Scientific name, plant family, native range, and general description.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/turmeric
    Supports: Botanical identity, native range, and historical uses.
  3. National Cancer Institute — https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/turmeric
    Supports: Definition, spice use, food colour use, and curcumin.
  4. NCBI Bookshelf — https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92752/
    Supports: Traditional medicinal use, plant family, and rhizome description.
  5. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — https://www.kew.org/plants/turmeric
    Supports: Domesticated status and cultivation in tropical regions.
  6. PubChem — https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/taxonomy/Curcuma-longa
    Supports: Taxonomy and classification as Curcuma longa in the ginger family.