Turmeric is the dried knobby root of a ginger like plant, Curcuma Longa. With its spicy, pungent flavor and brilliant yellow color, Turmeric is used as a condiment as well as a coloring agent. Its health benefits are also well known. Available ground, Turmeric is an essential ingredient in curry powders. Turmeric is also used in mustard, relishes, pickles, meat, fish, vegetable curries and rice.