Binding properties of turmeric
Is turmeric known to have any binding properties?
Wikipedia doesn't mention anything, and a google search only relates to iron binding properties of turmeric or similar health benefits.
A few days ago I made a curry (a Madras variant), and put the turmeric, as recommended by an Indian friend (I normally put it when creating the curry paste itself), in the latter stages of the cooking process. The curry was at that point not boiled down enough, but with the addition of the turmeric, the curry bound (binded?) in a similar way to adding flour.
(Sneak side question if the answer is "No, it doesn't": Should You / Why Should You add the turmeric only in the latter stages?)
Best Answer
Turmeric is a rhizome that contains some starches. Those starches will hydrate and gelatinize like any other starch and thicken liquid.
I don't know how its thickening power compares to other starches like flour or corn starch. This paper has a chart of vegetable starch sources that would imply that turmeric's starch content is fairly high at 76%
In many cuisines turmeric is used for color and flavor and isn't present in enough quantity to have this effect. As you have observed in Indian curries enough is used to thicken a sauce.
I add turmeric early when frying all the other spices to toast them. As with other fine powders, frying it early also makes it a bit easier to incorporate without clumps.
The only reason I can think of to add it later is if you are adjusting the flavor/thickness of the curry.
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What are the properties of turmeric?
Turmeric \u2014 and especially its most active compound, curcumin \u2014 have many scientifically proven health benefits, such as the potential to improve heart health and prevent against Alzheimer's and cancer. It's a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It may also help improve symptoms of depression and arthritis.What is the healing property of turmeric?
Turmeric is one such herb. Turmeric is used as an herbal medicine for rheumatoid arthritis, chronic anterior uveitis, conjunctivitis, skin cancer, small pox, chicken pox, wound healing, urinary tract infections, and liver ailments (Dixit, Jain, and Joshi 1988).What is turmeric mechanism of action?
The mechanism of action by which curcumin shows anti-inflammatory effect is by attenuating inflammatory response of TNF-\u03b1 stimulated human endothelial cells by interfering with NF-\u03baB. Furthermore, curcumin is also capable of preventing platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) [9].What are the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric?
Turmeric's main active component \u2014 curcumin \u2014 is what gives the spice its yellow color. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potential treatment for a number of health conditions, including reduced pain and increased ease of movement in people with osteoarthritis.Foods to Support Gut Health Series: Turmeric
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