If you are an herb and spice enthusiast, you have probably been familiar with turmeric. Turmeric is a common spice used for various purposes, such as adding flavor or color cooking in some cultures, a dietary supplement for multiple conditions, such as arthritis and digestive disorder, and a natural beauty ingredient. As a popular spice, turmeric comes in different types. One of which is the Javanese Turmeric, known as Temulawak in Bahasa Indonesia. Curious to learn more about this spice? Read below to find out five common facts of Temulawak that you must know!

1. A Native Plant to An Outstanding Archipelago Country, Indonesia

Temulawak is a plant native to Java, an island in Indonesia, an archipelago country located in the Southeast Asian region, neighboring Malaysia, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Australia. On Java Island, temulawak has been cultivated since ancient times. Nowadays, you can find fresh or dried at local markets across various Southeast Asian countries other than Indonesia, such as Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, and in other countries across the Asian and European regions.

2. Traditionally Used in Jamu, A Native Traditional Indonesian Herbal Drink

Due to its various medicinal benefits, temulawak is used as one of the critical ingredients of jamu. Temulawak brings excellent benefits to jamu as a traditional herbal drink. Temulawak is rich with many medicinal properties that can help treat various health conditions, such as reducing nausea, stomachaches, headaches, and spur digestion.

3. Contains Rich Nutritional Value

Like any other type of turmeric, temulawak also contains curcumin, a yellow chemical found in the rhizome with high anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Moreover, the rhizome includes vitamins and minerals beneficial to the health, including vitamin C, iron, potassium, and manganese.

4. Can Be Used In Different Types of Food

Besides being used for its medicinal properties, temulawak can also be used in cooking. When used young and fresh, the rhizome of temulawak can be blended into smoothies, drinks, or even cooked as a vegetable. Moreover, the rhizome can also be dried and steeped as a tea, cooked with sugar into a soft drink, or made into starch used in pudding, yogurt, and custard. Even more interesting, temulawak also pairs well with poultry, fish, beef, and pork for a more savory-tasted dish.

5. Available Year-Round

Unlike many other types of herbs and spices, temulawak is available year-round. However, suppose you’re interested in planting this specific type of spice. In that case, there are a few things to consider, such as consistently keeping the temperature at 19 – 30 degrees Celcius and planting in a climate with annual rainfall between 1.000 – 4.000 mm/year.

Interesting, right? If you would like to learn more about Javanese Turmeric, you may consider starting purchasing them at your local farmer’s market to self-explore its benefits for cooking or herbal medicine. Other than that, thinking of importing your first bulk of fresh Javanese Turmeric could also be a worthy option. Either way, it is crucial to ensure that you only get your Javanese Turmeric from a trusted buyer who sells guaranteed good spices. 

References:

1. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-662/turmeric 

2. https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Temulawak_Root_17905.php