Turmeric

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) /ˈtɜːrmərɪk/ or /ˈtjuːmərɪk/ or /ˈtuːmərɪk/ is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is native to southwest India, requiring temperatures between 20 and 30 °C (68 and 86 °F) and a considerable amount of annual rainfall to thrive. Plants are gathered annually for their rhizomes and propagated from some of those rhizomes in the following season.

When not used fresh, the rhizomes are boiled for about 30–45 minutes then dried in hot ovens, after which they are ground into a deep-orange-yellow powder commonly used as a spice in Bangladeshi cuisine, Indian cuisine, Pakistani cuisine and curries, for dyeing, and to impart color to mustard condiments. One active ingredient is curcumin, which has a distinctly earthy, slightly bitter, slightly hot peppery flavor and a mustardy smell.

India, a significant producer of turmeric, has regional names based on language and state.

History and etymology

Turmeric has been used in Asia for thousands of years and is a major part of Siddha medicine. It was first used as a dye, then later for its medicinal properties.

Turmeric (album)

Turmeric is a box set album by the Japanese noise musician Merzbow. It marks Merzbow's return to using metals and feedback since switching to computers. The album art depicts Masami Akita's pet silkie chickens, which have black skin and bones. They're also referred to on Animal Magnetism and Higanbana.

Some of the sounds are made by a chicken pecking at objects. "Deaf Composition" was made by randomly operating Reaktor patches without monitoring.

In addition to the standard release, there was a special edition in a metal lunch box. It includes: the standard edition, a mini-CD titled Black Bone, Part 5, a t-shirt, four postcards, and two vinyl stickers. A limited number of the mini-CDs were available separately.

Track listing

All music composed by Masami Akita.

Personnel