Turmeric is a spice derived from the rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant, a perennial from the ginger family native to South Asia. It is known for its vibrant orange-yellow color, which comes from a compound called curcumin, and is used in cooking, traditional medicine, and as a natural dye. Its underground stem is boiled, dried, and polished to produce the spice, which is often sold in powdered form.