Turmeric

Turmeric comes from the root (rhizome) of Curcuma longa, a plant that grows in tropical regions, especially in India, where it's harvested annually. The roots are dug up, cleaned, and typically boiled to stabilize their color, then dried and ground into a powder.

The coloring compound in turmeric is curcumin, which can be isolated through solvent extraction for more concentrated forms. These can be provided as oleoresins, emulsions, or water-dispersible powders, depending on the application. Curcumin has good heat stability, but like many natural pigments, it can fade under strong light or in high-pH environments. Modern processing methods often include encapsulation or emulsification to improve stability and handling.