Pahadi Haldi (Turmeric)

Pahadi Haldi is not your average grocery store turmeric. Grown in the pristine, pollution-free soil of the hills, it is darker, more orange, and far more potent. The Curcumin content (the active healing compound) in Himalayan turmeric is significantly higher than plains varieties. Families in the hills still boil the raw rhizomes, dry them in the sun, and hand-pound them in large wooden mortars (okhlis). It is considered auspicious and is the first spice added to any dish to purify the food.