Freezing Turmeric: What You Should Know About It

Freezing turmeric is not only easy to do, it is also necessary if you want to store the root for a little longer. Turmeric is now also a popular condiment in the kitchen in this country, so a small supply in the freezer won’t hurt.

Freeze turmeric: how it works

If you love spicy dishes, you always have a suitable spice at hand with a small supply of frozen turmeric. Especially if you love Asian dishes, you can hardly avoid the spicy root.

• However, turmeric is one of the spices that don’t store well. So you basically only have two options: either you freeze the turmeric root or you only buy the amount that you will use in a timely manner.
• Alternatively, you can also use a turmeric powder. However, this also only lasts for a relatively short period of time. Since freezing fresh turmeric is very quick, there are actually no arguments against it.
• However, it is important that you make sure when you buy the root that it is fresh and has no damage. The root should be plump and dry and not wrinkled or even lignified.
• If possible, freeze the fresh turmeric without any delay. First wash the root under running water and then place the turmeric on kitchen paper or a cotton towel to dry.
• There are numerous nutrients just under the husk of turmeric. For this reason, it makes sense not to remove the peel of the root. This is especially true if you bought organic turmeric. Due to its health-promoting effects, turmeric has been used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine for hundreds of years .
• You can keep frozen turmeric in the freezer for about three to four months if you pack the root airtight. This works quite well if you first wrap the root tightly in cling film and then place it in the freezer. If the root is frozen, place the spice in a freezer container or bag.
• Freezing turmeric loses some of its potency. However, if you have followed the most important rules when freezing the turmeric, the loss will be limited. This is especially true if you don’t keep turmeric in the freezer for too long.

Storing turmeric: you should know that

If you want to use the turmeric root in a timely manner, the refrigerator is a good place to store it. In this case, too, the motto is: be quick. Warm room air causes the root to dry out very quickly.

• Wrap the root loosely in cling film or aluminum foil and place the condiment in the fruit and vegetable drawer. It is important that you do not pack the root airtight, as it may quickly become moldy.
• However, you should not store the sensitive spice in the refrigerator for more than a few days. Otherwise you have to reckon with an unpleasant loss of taste.
• If storing the fresh turmeric is too cumbersome for you, you still have the option of using the dried spice. The turmeric spice has a shelf life of about six months if you store it properly.
• You should pack the turmeric powder in an opaque, well-sealed container. A dark, dry place is suitable as a location, such as in the pantry.