Let’s explore what black turmeric is.
Having discussed turmeric curcumin along with the various health benefits it offers.
After encountering many rumors about black turmeric on social media, AMVital nutrition revealed the facts and truths associated with it. Besides, you’ll learn about this highly medicinal plant.
Baseless Accusations about Black Turmeric: The Facts
Black turmeric is grown solely for medicinal purposes. Its therapeutic value is very high. Recently, a lot of fake news about black turmeric has been spreading via messages and videos, such as:
- Black turmeric open locks.
- Black turmeric breaks needles.
- It produces fires.
All such rumors and accusations about black turmeric are fake and baseless. Also, they tell the buyers that blue and black turmeric is different. Hence, it is 100% a selling lie they often speak. Some people only spread this wrong information to increase the market value and charge extra.
Black Turmeric’s demand in the market was raised by artificial means. Pertaining to fake rumors about black turmeric, the current rate lies between 37-61 $ per KG. Commercially, at wholesale rates, its price is 4 -5 $ per kilogram. However, it is used in Ayurvedic medicines and more but has little demand. The reason is the people who make medications buy this plant.
SPECIFICATIONS
Curcuma Caesia is the botanical name of black turmeric. It closely corresponds to its cousin, the ginger. It seems to look different, unlike regular orange turmeric. Apparently, the central stem, or rhizome, may be smaller rhizomes of about two inches. But the outer rhizome is sandy brown, with irregular spots. The flesh is a bluish-purple hue. Besides, it contains an intense, savory, and piquant smell. It isn’t delightful, with a soil-like, sizzling taste.
TOPOGRAPHY
Initially, black turmeric is born in northeastern and central India and has been an aspect of cultural traditions and healing therapies. As of 2016, it has been documented as an endangered species of India by ICAR.
Many tribal societies in the state of Madhya Pradesh used it. Often, the hawkers sell fresh or dried spices in Indian and Southeast Asia markets. Moreover, actions are being taken to rescue and save black turmeric in Odisha (once Orissa), on the central-eastern coast, along the Bay of Bengal.
Availability
Farmers commonly reap it in mid-winter.
Nutritive Significance
Black turmeric has the greatest attention of curcumin of any plant species. It is a robust antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The core has been used medicinally for decades to fix arthritis, asthma, and epilepsy. Additionally, you can apply its powdery root to bruises to soothe discomfort or to the forehead to shed the symptoms of migraines.
How to Use
Typically, you can peel or trim black turmeric into pieces blended with kale, ginger, lemon, and cucumber for a healthy-boosting green smoothie. You can also store it in dried form in an airtight glass container for up to six months with a temperature of up to 45º Celsius. Furthermore, extra moisture can hasten the ripening cycle. So preserve them unwashed.
Cultural Facts
A puja is a religious practice in India using herbs, melodies, and prayers to show reverence to a god or godly sculpture. Tribes in northeastern India have also used it to ward off evil spirits; they used to keep pieces of the root in a pocket or medicine pouch. Primarily, black turmeric is used in the Kali Puja, the celebration devoted to Kali, the Hindu goddess. The celebration of Kali overlaps with the northern Indian New Year, the festival of Diwali.
How to differentiate between black turmeric and yellow turmeric?
It is effortless to differentiate. The leaves of regular turmeric are entirely green, whereas black turmeric has a black line in the middle. It is a superficial difference that everyone can notice.
But internally, the color of regular turmeric is yellowish-orange. In dried powdered form, it reflects bluish color. After it is completely dried in a powder form, it turns light black.
Climate Conditions & Plantation
As far as climate conditions are concerned, regular turmeric and black turmeric require the same weather conditions to grow. Both are grown through their rhizomes. The requirements are minimal for its cultivation farm. Avoid water clogging. Usually, farmers maintain a 2ft. soil bed with a 3-4 ft. distance from the other soil bed for growing this plant.
Generally, the best time for a plantation is between May and June. Harvest duration is 9-10 months, the same as regular ginger and turmeric.
Farming Tips
Farmers who want to grow black turmeric should consider its plantation on a small scale. However, it is used in Ayurvedic medicines and more but does not have greater demand. Fortunately, you can multiply a single plant by the separation of roots carefully in a minimum of 50-100 plants on half an acre. For large-scale plantations, make sure to do a thorough market demand study.
Also, you can grow it in either terrace or kitchen gardens. Ensure the drainage and utilize good soil for plantation. Organic fertilizers are best in this case. So avoid using chemical fertilizers, as it is prone to fungal disease due to rhizomes. Thus, you can use organic pesticides/fungicides to overcome this disease in plants.
