Turmeric

Turmeric

Commonly used as a spice in curries and other South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine, for dyeing, and to impart color to mustard condiments.
Its active ingredient is curcumin and it has an earthy, bitter, peppery flavor and a mustardy smell.

In medieval Europe, turmeric became known as Indian Saffron, since it is widely used as an alternative to far more expensive saffron spice.