How to Identify Genuine Kasthuri Turmeric Authentic Wild Turmeric/ Kasthuri Manjal
Kasthuri Turmeric (Curcuma aromatica) is known for its medicinal, aromatic and cosmetic properties for a long time. In 1970s’ it was grown in roughly 6000 hectares in India, mainly in the western ghats. Throughout some stretch of time, the zone has dwindled definitely to a stage today where the species itself has become endangered. The main reason behind this was the introduction of a cheap, duplicate or fake genotype called Manja Koova or Zedoary (Curcuma zedoaria) in the market through unethical and unscrupulous involvement of middleman and vendors as it resembles the original one.
Research at Agricultural College Campus in Kerala Agri. University, Vellayani have developed simple but accurate methods to identify the true Kasthuri Turmeric from the duplicate ones through Electron microscopy and DNA finger printing studies. As a result of this study, you can identify true Kasthuri Turmeric from the fake ones by observing the following visual, morphological, anatomical and aromatical characters.
