Turmeric has been used as a spice, and also as a colorant, for centuries. It is known for its characteristic bright yellow shade. Turmeric has been known to provide many health benefits for years, whether being used for its medicinal benefits even as a simple home remedy, or more recently, having been scientifically shown to provide cardiovascular and anticarcinogenic benefits, due to its high antioxidative content and properties.
The coloring component for turmeric is known as Curcumin. The pigment is extracted from the root Curcuma Longa, which is cultivated primarily in India. Turmeric provides very bright yellow shades in many applications, including bakery, confectionery, dairy, and many prepared foods.
The market forms available include the insoluble pigment, oleoresins, and emulsion and encapsulated forms, both in powder and in liquid forms. Turmeric is known to have excellent heat stability, but it may be unstable when exposed to light in some applications. Specialized formulations are available to provide the additional stability requirements needed for many of these applications.
Applications
Prepared Foods
Snacks
Mustard
Dips/Spreads
Yogurt
Pickles
Confectionery
Seasonings
Bakery
Dairy