Turmeric ( longa) is a rhizomatous herbaceous of the family, . It is native to tropical and needs temperatures between 20°C and 30°C, and a considerable amount of annual rainfall to thrive (Materia Indica, 1826, Whitelaw Ainslie, M.D. M.R.A.S., via Google Books). Plants are gathered annually for their , and re-seeded from some of those rhizomes in the following season.

The rhizomes are boiled for several hours and then dried in hot ovens, after which they are ground into a deep orange-yellow powder commonly used as a in curries and other and , for dyeing, and to impart color to . Its active ingredient is and it has a distinctly earthy, slightly bitter, slightly hot flavor and a mustardy smell.

Turmeric Powder