Fresh turmeric (Curcuma longa) is the underground rhizome of a tropical plant in the ginger family. Closely related to ginger, it has thin brown skin and brilliant golden-orange flesh with a warm, earthy flavor, subtle bitterness, and mild peppery notes. Widely used in Indian, Southeast Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisines, fresh turmeric adds distinctive flavor and color to many dishes and beverages. Like dried turmeric powder, fresh turmeric contains curcuminoids, a family of polyphenols that includes curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. It also provides aromatic oils and other plant compounds. Its higher water content makes fresh turmeric less concentrated than dried turmeric powder while giving it a uniquely bright, fresh flavor.