Different Indian turmeric varieties and which one is the best

Turmeric is an intrinsic part of our Indian cooking. From curries to dals and sabzi, turmeric is literally added to anything and everything. Turmeric can reduce inflammation, heal internal injuries and shield the body from flu during the winter season. Also called the Golden spice, turmeric can be found in a number of age-old remedies in Ayurveda.

There are a number of turmeric varieties available in India even though they look similar, they are quite different from one another. Here are different turmeric types along with their curcumin concentration. Read on to know which one is the best for you and why you must include Haldi in your daily diet. (image credits- istock)

Lakadong turmeric belongs to Lakadong village situated in the state of Meghalaya. It is said to be the world's best turmeric variant due to its high concentration of curcumin levels. Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory compound present in turmeric that plays a major role in repairing the body internally. Usually, turmeric contains around 2-4% of curcumin but Lakadong's concentration goes upto a whopping 7-12%.

Alleppey is a small town in Kerala which is not only famous for its breathtaking scenic beauty but also for its turmeric production.

Alleppey turmeric contains about 5% curcumin and is used to make several homemade remedies and Ayurvedic medicines.

Another famous South Indian turmeric variety comes from Madras. It has a lighter yellow colour as compared to other and on an average contains about 3.5% curcumin.

Do you know that Erode turmeric received its GI Tag in March 2019? GI Tag or Geographical Tag is a tag given to food products that are specific to a particular geographical location and possess certain qualities due to that origin. Erode is a small city in Tamil Nadu that produces Erode turmeric with about 3-4% of curcumin.

Sangli turmeric too received its GI Tag back in 2018 because of its unique characteristics. It is produced in Sangli, Maharashtra and accounts for more than 70% of the state's turmeric production. Sangli turmeric has a deep-orange colour and is often used for medicinal purposes.

Another popular Indian turmeric variety comes from. Nizamabad, Telangana. It contains 2-4% curcumin on an average and has a classic yellow colour.

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