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PLEASE NOTE:
Fresh ginger and turmeric crops are harvested by order and are fulfilled on a first come-first served basis.
Because these crops grow underground, we cannot anticipate the total amount we have available for the season.
If we complete the harvest before we get to your order, we will promptly refund the purchase price to your card.
Thanks in advance for your understanding.
PICKUP or SHIPPING AVAILABLE
How to preserve fresh turmeric
Turmeric recipes
Fresh Turmeric
These bright, juicy rhizomes are
different from the mature turmeric found in supermarkets - there is no
rind to peel and they are tender instead of tough and woody. Turmeric has been used as a culinary and medicinal spice for thousands
of years in Asia and India. This remarkable spice can be easily added to your
daily diet.
What is turmeric?
Turmeric is a member of
the ginger family, native to tropical South Asia, and known for its
orange-yellow color. It is widely used in South Asian and Middle Eastern
cuisine as well as for coloring foods such as mustard, cheeses and
butter and for dyeing fabrics. World Healthiest Foods describe the taste
of this spice as peppery, warm and bitter but with an aroma similar to
ginger. Its taste has also been described as a bitter ginger with
peppery and floral tones. Fresh turmeric is milder in flavor than the
mature rhizome. I combine grated turmeric with ginger and garlic for
most dishes.
Why is it so good for us?
Turmeric
contains an active ingredient called curcumin, which is an antioxidant
and anti-inflammatory compound. Studies found that a daily dose of 2
grams of curcumin provided the pain relief equivalent to a dose of
ibuprofen. In addition to pain relief, particularly for arthritis,
turmeric has been studied for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease and
in the prevention and treatment of cancer.Dr. Oz says, ""...in India,
where turmeric is widely used, the prevalence of the four most-common US
cancers is 10 times lower. Researchers attribute this, in part, to
curcumin...". "Turmeric has been used in traditional medicines for
easing the pain of sprains, strains, bruises and joint inflammation, as
well as for treating skin and digestive issues. The healing power of
turmeric comes from its active ingredient - curcumin, which lowers the
levels of two enzymes in the body that cause inflammation."
Regarding
Alzheimer's, Dr. Oz says, "UCLA researchers have demonstrated
curcumin's potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-amyloid
properties (beta-amyloid protein is the sticky "goo" that accumulates on
the brain and prevents neurons from "talking" to each other; too much
beta-amyloid is believed to cause Alzheimer's symptoms) - effects that
are believed to protect the brain from Alzheimer's disease."
Dr.
Andrew Weil agrees that turmeric is helpful in the fight against
Alzheimer's: "The good news about this cross-cultural spice is that
elderly villagers in India, who eat turmeric in their daily curries,
have the world's lowest rate of Alzheimer's disease."
How do you store fresh turmeric?
Fresh
turmeric can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks by making
sure the rhizome is dry, wrapping it in a paper towel and placing it in a
plastic bag. It can also be frozen for up to a year - either whole for
grating frozen, or in pieces to add to for smoothies, juices and
cooking.
Remember, turmeric is used as a colorant and the orange-yellow color can stain hands, cutting boards and clothes!
How do I use turmeric?
You
can integrate turmeric into your diet in a number of ways. Add the
chopped or grated spice into sauces or, alternatively, sprinkle it over
meat, fish or vegetables during the preparation. I add turmeric to my
tea each morning. Here's some ideas and recipes:
• Add a slice to green or fruit smoothies and in raw juices
• Add turmeric to the cooking water for rice, quinoa or pasta
• Pickle fresh turmeric root in vinegar and lime juice for a tasty Asian-style condiment.
• Add a few teaspoons of grated turmeric to Basmati rice and a little coconut milk and water.
• Fresh turmeric is also interesting with fresh corn cooked in coconut milk
Fresh Culinary Certified Organic Baby Ginger is available beginning in September
What is Windcrest Farm Fresh Baby turmeric and how is it different from the turmeric I see in the store?
"Baby" turmeric is harvested before the rhizomes form the tough brown skin of mature turmeric (the turmeric you find in the store).
The taste of baby turmeric is milder than mature turmeric. It is a unique local product. Windcrest Farm Baby Turmeric is fresh, local and USDA Certified Organic and not shipped from overseas.
How long will baby ginger be available?
Turmeric is harvest just before the first frost in autumn and is available until supplies are gone. Last year we sold out in two weeks.
Do I have to peel my baby turmeric before using it?
No need to peel your fresh turmeric as you would mature turmeric. Simply use a wet paper towel and gently wipe the rhizomes to remove any scales or soil.
How do I store fresh turmeric?
Fresh turmeric can be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks and in the crisper section of your refrigerator for up to three weeks. Storing it in a bag or container will keep the turmeric from forming a slight skin. Once refrigerated, keep turmeric in cold storage or it will become "limp". Even if it loses some crispness, it is still quite useable and delicious. We recommend freezing your turmeric to preserve it for up to a year.
How do I freeze fresh turmeric?
Fresh turmeric can be frozen, stored for up to a year and used when needed, right from the freezer. Freeze minced or thinly sliced ginger in individual portions or in bulk. Freeze an entire rhizome, grate what you need and return the frozen piece to the freezer.
How to preserve fresh turmeric
Turmeric recipes
It is very important to return unused frozen turmeric to the freezer immediately or it will become "mushy". If you forget to put it back in the freezer and end up with watery, mushy turmeric rhizomes, place them in a food processor or blender and puree. Store the puree in the refrigerator for up to three weeks or dehydrate it to use as a turmeric powder.
Can I plant the baby turmeric rhizomes to grow my own turmeric?
No, this turmeric has been harvested before it has matured enough to be used as seed.
I would love to grow ginger myself. Are "seeds" or plants available?
Seed rhizomes are available in early spring. Because turmeric is a tropical plant with a long growing season, turmeric seed rhizomes must be "pre-sprouted" in a very warm (70-80 degrees) greenhouse chamber in late February for harvest in late October/November. When the soil temperature reaches a constant 55 degrees, turmeric is transplanted into the ground. turmeric plants require frequent, high nutrient feeding, consistent watering and have little tolerance for weeds.
Windcrest Farm will have pre-sprouted turmeric seed available for sale in late Spring 2015.
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