Welcome to the Celtnet Guide to Spices entry for Zedoary Root (Curcuma zedoaria)

Spice Guide Entry For: Zedoary Root



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Zedoary Root


This is the description page for Zedoary Root (Curcuma zedoaria) and includes a description as well as an image, if available and a selection of recipes from this site that relates to the spice: Zedoary Root.

Zedoary root and dried

Zedoary, Curcuma zedoaria represents the rhizome of a perennial monocotyledonous herb and a member of the Zingiberaceae (Ginger) family. Zeodary grows in tropical and subtropical wet forest regions. Though originating in north-eastern India, today it is widely cultivated in India, South East Asia and China. The rhizome of zedoary is edible and has a bright orange interior (similar to turmeric) and a fragrance reminiscent of mango. In contrast, its flavour is more akin to ginger but with a very bitter aftertaste.

In Thailand, the young rhizomes are often eaten as a very aromatic vegetable and in India it is occasionally used to flavour the pickles (achar). In Indonesia it is dried and ground to a powder before being added to curry paste. It seems to have been known in Europe during the Medieval period and recipe sources up to the 16th century make use of dried zeodary as a spice. The bitterness of zeodary has, however, led to a marked decline in the use of this spice.


Recipes Utilizing Zedoary Root

Zedoary Pickle
Asian Duck Curry
Amb Halad Ka Shorba

Zedoary, Curcuma zedoaria represents the rhizome of a perennial monocotyledonous herb and a member of the Zingiberaceae (Ginger) family. Zeodary grows in tropical and subtropical wet forest regions. Though originating in north-eastern India, today it is widely cultivated in India, South East Asia and China. The rhizome of zedoary is edible and has a bright orange interior (similar to turmeric) and a fragrance reminiscent of mango. In contrast, its flavour is more akin to ginger but with a very bitter aftertaste.

In Thailand, the young rhizomes are often eaten as a very aromatic vegetable and in India it is occasionally used to flavour the pickles (achar). In Indonesia it is dried and ground to a powder before being added to curry paste. It seems to have been known in Europe during the Medieval period and recipe sources up to the 16th century make use of dried zeodary as a spice. The bitterness of zeodary has, however, led to a marked decline in the use of this spice.




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This is the description page for Zedoary Root and includes a description of the plant and the parts used as spice, as well as an image, if available, or what the spice looks like and a selection of recipes from this site that reletes to the spice: Zedoary Root.



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