Tag: Curcumin extraction

While curcumin, the active compound responsible for turmeric's brilliant yellow color, is prized for its health benefits, its notorious staining properties are a common nuisance. Removing curcumin from turmeric itself is a task of industrial-scale chemistry, not a simple at-home kitchen hack. This guide clarifies the difference between these two distinct objectives.

Raw turmeric rhizomes contain a relatively low percentage of curcumin, typically only 2–5%, which is why effective extraction is critical for producing concentrated supplements and food additives. This involves breaking down the plant material and isolating the potent curcumin compound.

According to research, the curcumin content in turmeric powder varies significantly, typically ranging from 2% to 9%. This means that 100 grams of turmeric contains a surprisingly modest amount of curcumin, with the exact figure depending on numerous factors, from the turmeric variety to processing methods.