Spices

[gemfyre]

EVERYWHERE you read, "Saffron and Tumeric are used mostly for the colour, they are interchangable." (Because Saffron is pricey and Tumeric is cheap, even though a large bottle of tumeric costs about as much as the teeny boxes of saffron you buy, but each lasts me about a year or so).

Am I the only person in the universe who finds them very NOT interchangable? Each has a unique flavour and they are nothing alike. When I make my favourite rice dish, I usually end up adding more tumeric for the flavour. I don't need my rice to be yellow, but I want the tumeric flavour there.

Comments

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

No I don't think they're interchangeable at all. I'm a big fan of turmeric though, it's got a lovely flavour. Even if it is the 'cheaper' substitute.

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

Both are essential in my cupboard.

I wouldn't dare use tumeric in a risotto milanese, and I MUST have plenty of tumeric in my artichoke lemon limbo rice. *nom*

[odindeathcrush.livejournal.com]

cosmos, i've never ever read that saffron and tumeric are interchangeable, tho i'm not doubting that you have read that.
i just don't understand it at all. they have very very different qualities and uses and values...*is baffled*

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

Seriously? Almost every cooking website I go to says this. Maybe all the sites are written by people who have never actually tasted these spices and just figure, "Oh people just use them to make things yellow." *shrug*

[odindeathcrush.livejournal.com]

well most of the food based sites i visit are vegan or herbalistic in nature so maybe that is why???

i could see tumeric and 'curry' being bantered about as interchangable, but not saffron. anyone who uses saffron for colorant only is just not wise in the ways of saffron!

[stawberi.livejournal.com]

That's what you get from websites, I guess. If you ever have time, you should try some of the foreign cooking courses offered by Swan Tafe - they're excellent.

[honeyjubilee.livejournal.com]

Similar in color, maybe, but definitely not in flavor!

I don't imagine substituting tumeric for saffron in Saffron Milk would be very tasty.

[leecetheartist.livejournal.com]

Very different flavours!

[bethaniej.livejournal.com]

they are totally different. the only thing i'd do instead of saffron (if i specifically wanted yellow rice say) would be to use yellow food colouring. if i use turmeric, it's because of the flavour!

[japester.livejournal.com]

turmeric? saffron? Interchangeable? That's just unheard of!!!!

Real turmeric, it's a fantastic root.

[pixidance.livejournal.com]

No, NOT interchangeable! NOT! Turmeric is what gives yellow curry it's unique flavor. Who in their right mind would put turmeric in where saffron is called for. Seriously, whoever said that must not have taste buds :P