Turmeric gives plov its characteristic colour and a warm, earthy note. Plov without it still tastes good, but looks paler. Use half a teaspoon for a kazan serving 4–6.
Spices & herbs
Turmeric (zerchub)
Ground turmeric, zerchub in Uzbek, has a warm, earthy aroma and its characteristic yellow-orange colour. It goes into plov, shurpa and marinades.
Turmeric (zerchub in Uzbek) is a ground spice with a warm, earthy aroma and a deep yellow-orange colour. Uzbek cooks add it to plov, shurpa and marinades, where it gives the dish its characteristic colour and a gentle warmth.
- Origin
- Southern Uzbekistan / India
- Category
- Spices and seasonings
- Packaging
- Loose from 50 g, packed 100 g
- Shelf life
- Up to 12 months in an airtight container
- Certification
- Halal, certified by ALHALAL
Good turmeric is bright orange and finely ground, with no grey specks. Colour is the main visual sign of quality: a pale yellow powder is usually either old or cut with starch. At our counter turmeric sits in glass jars, so you can compare the colour with your last purchase.
In plov, turmeric goes in at the zirvak stage: half a teaspoon for a kazan (a heavy cast-iron pot) serving 4–6. In shurpa, add a pinch at the very start of cooking. For a deep "golden" colour, as in wedding plov, you can go up to a full teaspoon, but carefully: a large amount gives a bitter note.
Turmeric stains utensils and hands, and on fabric the worst stains will not wash out. Use a dry spoon to take it from the jar, as anything damp picks up the colour quickly. In the kitchen, keep the turmeric jar away from pale ingredients such as salt, sugar and dried garlic: the powder travels easily.
FAQ
Turmeric (zerchub): common questions
It is the same plant, Curcuma longa. The differences lie in the grind and the variety: for Uzbek cooking people choose varieties with a warmer, less sharp note. Both have the right colour and aroma for plov and shurpa.
No, they are different spices. Turmeric gives colour and an earthy note; saffron has a delicate floral, honeyed aroma and a deeper yellow. Uzbek cooking generally uses turmeric.
Ground turmeric holds its aroma well for 12 months in an airtight container. After a year the colour is still bright, but the aroma fades. At the counter we keep stock no older than 6 months.
For plov or tea
Everything for dinner at one counter
At Arkan Bazar in Riga you can get everything for a meal in one go: rice, spices, dried fruit, flatbread and tea. Planning a family celebration or cooking for a large group? Write to us through the form in advance, and we will have your order ready on time.