Turmeric Root Dye

Turmeric, a brilliant yellow natural dye extracted from the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa) native to South and Southeast Asia, finds applications in dyeing, painting, home remedies, and cooking. Often referred to as "haldi" in Indo-Aryan languages, the turmeric plant might have been introduced to South Asia during the early historical era, possibly via a land route from China or a sea route from Vietnam. Subsequent cultivation involved careful cross-breeding with wild varieties like Curcuma aromatica. While India has been a primary producer and user of turmeric for ages, the root also finds its place in China's cuisine, traditional medicine, and extends to regions like West Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

When harvesting turmeric, firm roots are preferred. Despite its limited durability and tendency to fade with washes and light exposure, turmeric was widely utilised as a dye due to its vibrant shade and affordability. The dyeing process involves immersing the fabric in a mixture of hot water, powdered turmeric root, baking soda, and lime juice, until the fabric achieves a strong yellow hue. For calico cloth, pomegranate rind and alum are added to enhance the yellow colour and prolong its lifespan. In the case of wool and silk, turmeric is combined with various mordants to create different shades, such as orange, olive green, and brown using tin mordant, potassium dichromate, and ferrous sulphate, respectively. Overdyeing dyed blue or red cloth with turmeric produces shades of green or orange. However, due to turmeric's fugitive nature, the yellow aspect of the colour eventually fades, resulting in light blue or pink fabric.

Presently, turmeric maintains its status as a spice and natural food colourant globally, while its use as a textile dye has significantly declined due to the prevalence of synthetic alternatives.