Turmeric is one of the most popular spices used in Asian cuisine. This spice comes from the root of a plant that grows in India. It is among the basic ingredients that make curry. It is used as a good dye. It is used in cooking seafood, fish, baked meats and vegetables, in sauces, rice dishes, etc. It also occasionally finds a place in cakes and cookies. In the West today, Curcuma is often used as a substitute for Saffron Petals, from which it got the name Indian Saffron. In India it is used in some Hindi rites where the color gold symbolizes the sun. Even today, Buddhist monks dye their clothes with Indian Saffron, from which they get their characteristic color. In the kitchen, it finds ideal use in white meats, stews, risottos, and pairs well with fish, soft cheeses, fruit compote, yogurt, and salads.