Dried Turmeric

What makes Kandhamal turmeric from Odisha so special?

With over 50 cultivated varieties of turmeric available, what makes Kandhamal turmeric unique?

Aside from its incredible flavor and restorative properties is its highly revered history. Its name comes from the Kandhamal district of Odisha, where this specific herb is grown as the main cash crop. The farmers in this highly remote region of India have been growing turmeric organically for generations in the forests and hills. Today, the local people who grow kandhamal turmeric still use traditional cultivation methods. In April 2019, Kandhamal turmeric was issued a geographical indication (GI) tag to protect it further, acknowledging the spice’s history and the farmers who grow it. It has earned the GI tag partly because of its richness in curcumin and higher oleoresin and volatile oil content than other varieties. Turmeric oleoresin is an extract of turmeric, like an essential oil, used for flavoring and coloring. Volatile oils in spices are found in all parts of the plant, including the leaf, seed, stem, and root. These volatile oils contain chemical compounds that give the spice its natural characteristic flavor and aroma. Because of its high oleoresin and volatile oil content, Kandhamal turmeric is beloved for its potency, quality, and fragrant aroma.