What does turmeric taste like?

Tumeric, a spice essential to curry, has an bitter, slightly aromatic taste. Thus, in cooking, it is often used in combination with other spices.

Tumeric is a common ingredient in Asian cooking and is sometimes used as a substitute for saffron, a very expensive spice. Chefs caution about using tumeric for saffron because it can make food too bitter. Tumeric has a bright yellow color and is frequently used to add color to food, like mustard. It is often used in relish, chutney, pickles, chicken dishes and fish soups. You can increase tumeric in your diet by mixing a little in melted butter and drizzling it over vegetables.