Lakadong Turmeric Powder vs Regular Turmeric
Haldi, aka turmeric, is a commonly used spice in Indian households. Be it for kitchen use, for Ayurvedic/medicinal purposes or as a beauty hack, this spice is an ancient traditional blessing.
Did you know? India meets an annual demand of about 8 lakh MT of cured turmeric. 92% of the production is consumed domestically, while the rest is exported. Visit a grocery store, and you will find a variety of haldi powders, each differing by its price. But why is it so?
A regular turmeric powder may cost you less than other variations, like Lakadong or Alleppey Finger. And there is a reason for it:
Turmeric Powder Variations
Turmeric powder is a wonderful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory Indian spice. It is known to heal many health concerns like liver issues, digestive disorders, skin diseases and wound healing. You may consume or apply it. For cooking purposes, the spice is a basic ingredient in curries and acts as a preservative, adding colour to the food.
What makes it unique? Curcumin.
Curcumin is an active ingredient in turmeric. Its concentration affects turmeric’s therapeutic effects.
Turmeric is available in 30 varieties in India. These are a few popular ones known for their curcumin content:
- Alleppey Finger from Kerala
- Erode and Salem turmeric from Tamil Nadu
- Rajapore and Sangli turmeric from Maharashtra
- Nizamabad Bulb from Andhra Pradesh
- Lakadong from Meghalaya (highest curcumin content with more than 7.5%)
About Lakadong Turmeric
Meghalaya is home to many Indian spices like turmeric, ginger, black pepper, chilli, and bay leaf. The most prominent and popular spice grown in the state is Lakadong turmeric. It is commonly used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industry. The curcumin content in the spice is more than 7% (approximately 4% higher than other varieties).
ALSO SEE- Turmeric Powder Benefits: Why Salem & Lakadong Varieties Are Different
What’s Different in Lakadong Turmeric?
All turmeric powders look the same—agreed. But with a closer examination, there are many good differences between regular turmeric and Lakadong turmeric:
- The level of curcumin is 4% more in Lakadong than in regular turmeric. The more curcumin, the better the turmeric
- Lakadong has a bright yellow colour (due to high curcumin) that makes your food appealing, unlike regular turmeric, which might give a dull look
- Food aroma differs when you add Lakadong turmeric to food. Lakadong is more earthy, ginger and fresh, whereas regular turmeric is mild
- Lakadong turmeric tastes rich and slightly bitter, whereas regular turmeric may be bland
- Lakadong is highly used for therapeutic purposes like wellness, cosmetics, and the pharma industries over regular turmeric
- This Meghalaya spice is hand-harvested and not machine-processed like regular turmeric
Health benefits of Lakadong Turmeric
- Reduces inflammation and joint pain
- Improves gut health and digestion
- Provides skin flow and reduces acne
- Strengthens immunity
- Slows ageing (rich in antioxidants)
How to use Lakadong Turmeric Every Day
- Haldi Dudh aka Milk With Turmeric
Add half a teaspoon of Lakadong turmeric to warm milk with black pepper and honey. It’s a perfect drink to improve immunity, heal wounds and relieve muscle pains.
- Haldi Chai aka Turmeric Tea
Add ¼ teaspoon of Lakadong turmeric to your tea with lemon and ginger. It keeps you fresh and active and acts as the best pain reliever (best for colds and migraines).
- Cooking Curries
Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of Lakadong turmeric to dals, soups, curries and roasted vegetables.
- Skincare
Add it to your face mask to fight acne and ageing. It’s a natural ubtan.
Lakadong turmeric is expensive due to its purity and potency. But it surely gives more benefits than the regular turmeric. It gets used 60% less in food than regular turmeric—where a recipe requires 1 teaspoon of turmeric, you may only add ¼ teaspoon of Lakadong. Hence, it’s a health investment!
