Yellow rice and curries. That’s about the extent of turmeric’s uses, isn’t it?
That’s what numerous consumers may have once believed, but today turmeric is shattering the confines of its conventional role. From its potent anti-inflammatory properties to its burst of vibrant flavor profiles, turmeric has evolved beyond a mere spice. Delve into our bulk product catalog and unlock a world of possibilities to elevate your culinary adventures.
How is turmeric made?
Bulk turmeric powder is made from the turmeric rhizome, the underground stems that form part of the root system, like the ginger root.
The traditional method looks like this: the turmeric rhizomes are peeled, boiled, dried, and ground into a powder. While it’s the most popular method, it also leads to the loss of vital nutrients in the boiling process.
Air-dried turmeric powder looks like this: the turmeric rhizomes are sliced or grated into small pieces and dried in direct sunlight. The brittle sun-dried root is then ground into a powder that retains the maximum nutrients.
Once dried and ground, the powder is packed into the preferred packaging.
The best packaging options for bulk turmeric
Bulk powdered turmeric is most commonly packaged in plastic pouches or packets, as well as glass jars or bottles. Eco-friendly kraft pouches, made from biodegradable materials, have become a winning option for many private label brands with active eco and sustainability initiatives.
As with many ingredients, bulk private-label packaging options are available in almost any material and size that fits within the brand’s mission.
The nutritional benefits of turmeric and curcumin
The nutrients of turmeric and its vivid aesthetics are intricately intertwined. Turmeric gets its famous bright yellow color from its high curcumin content, a chemical compound that makes up roughly 3% of turmeric.
And curcumin packs quite a punch in the nutrient department, most popularly as an anti-inflammatory agent. The antioxidants in turmeric also assist the battle against free radicals, boosting the immune system and improving overall health.
Studies have found that curcumin boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which assists in memory strength and learning abilities.
On top of that, turmeric has also been reported to assist in the battle of cancer and neurodegenerative disease while assisting in general cardiovascular health.
However, it should be noted that curcumin’s bioavailability (the rate at which it is absorbed into the bloodstream) can be improved. Partnering with this spice black pepper can increase that absorption. Black Pepper is high in piperine, a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin.
But black pepper also counterbalances the astringency of turmeric, making it a perfect spice partnership on all levels. Which leads us to our next point: how is turmeric being used these days?
The most popular uses for turmeric … with a twist
Turmeric is best known for its use in curry dishes and spice mixes. The bitter flavor, which is balanced between pepper and citrus notes, naturally magnifies other flavors in both savory and sweeter curries.
But turmeric is no longer limited to the spice rack.
Boost your health with turmeric supplements
When kept to a pinch or two in a few dishes, consumers miss out on most of the curcumin’s nutritional benefits due to the small amount of the substance consumed. That’s why health and vitamin brands often include high percentages of wholesale turmeric in natural supplements, giving consumers the maximum benefit of this wonder root.
Sit down, relax, and enjoy a calming turmeric tea
While supplements offer consumers a reliable way to get the full-scale benefits of turmeric, there are those who prefer to keep their health journey as unrefined as possible. And turmeric tea is a good way to do just that.
One cup of turmeric tea is made from 1 teaspoon dried turmeric, a dash of black pepper, and hot water. And if that sounds like too much of a kick, simply replace the water with milk, add some honey, and sprinkle with cinnamon to create a delicious turmeric latte.
Take your sweet tooth on an adventure with turmeric desserts
Traditional milk puddings, cinnamon rolls, coconut mouse cakes, butter biscuits, and even ice cream, bakers and confectionery makers are putting a twist on these sweet treats with a dash of turmeric.
Now unlike the health industry, where turmeric is used in big wholesale quantities to maximize its nutritional benefits, bakers are using small amounts to see how much character this colorful spice can add to dishes.
How to import bulk turmeric in 2024
These trends, embraced by importers, are changing the way both the food industry and the consumer market are thinking about turmeric and sources in general.
But when buying turmeric in bulk, you need to work with bulk importers and wholesale suppliers who have evolved along with the trends. Not ones who are still stuck in an era that leaves buyers in the dark, saddled with uncertainty.
That evolution is at the very heart of Source86, importers who put a twist on the traditional import recipe, putting the focus on what you need and how we can help you bring something truly special to the market, instead of just looking for a good price and signing off once the shipment is sent.
Seeing how the turmeric industry is evolving from a simple spice source into something unique and adventurous is what makes being a bulk importer so great.
Get in touch with us to explore the novel applications and wholesale import options of turmeric and other bulk spices.
