Difference Between Saffron and Turmeric

Saffron vs Turmeric

Saffron and Turmeric are two medicinal herbs or spices of varied uses. They show differences between them in terms of their properties and nature. Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of saffron crocus. In fact, saffron has proved to be the most expensive spice There are two important chemicals found in saffron and they are picrocrocin and safranal. These chemicals cause the bitter taste in saffron.

Saffron is believed to be accompanied by many medicinal properties. It is profusely used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Saffron is believed to cause beneficial effects on the heart. It is also used in the treatment of various forms of allergies. Saffron adds luminous yellow-orange color to foods. It is widely used in countries like India, Pakistan, Arab countries, Turkey, and some European countries too.

印度是世界上最大的生产国姜黄。In fact, it is produced the highest from a place called Erode in South India. This is primarily the reason why Erode is called as Turmeric City. Turmeric is known as haridra in Sanskrit language. It is called as haldi in Hindi.

Turmeric grows in the wild forests of Asia and Southeast Asia. It is added as an important ingredient in many dishes. As an ingredient, turmeric is used widely in the cuisines of India, Persia and Indonesia. It is normally used as root powder. It imparts a distinct flavor in the foods in which it is added.

It is interesting to note that women of India use turmeric during bath. It is smeared on the body to ward off bodily impurities. Turmeric is used in food products to protect it from sunlight. Mostly, it is used in the preparation of savory dishes and in the making of some sweets as well.

On the other hand, saffron is also used in the making of sweets. It is a practice with some of the Indian families to add saffron with milk. This practice is normally seen in the case of pregnant women. It is believed that pregnant women when administered with saffron can give birth to babies with good and a fair complexion.

Saffron is grown more in a belt ranging from the Mediterranean in the west to Kashmir in the east. The total estimation of the production of saffron yearly is 300 tonnes worldwide. India, Iran, Greece, Spain, Italy and Morocco are some of the chief producers of saffron.

Turmeric is associated with a lot of medicinal benefits too. It is said to cure different types of cancer, arthritis and other clinical disorders as well. It is used by women to prevent the growth of hair on their body. The tone of the skin gets improved if it is anointed with turmeric.

It is interesting to note that turmeric can be used in gardening too as a kind of protective agent against the invasion of different kinds of ants. It is used in the performance of ceremonial rites in India. This is because of the fact that much of religious importance is attached to the use of turmeric.