Use your fingers or a veggie brush to give the root a quick scrub, removing any dirt that is stuck to it. If you’re using a brush, angle it to get into all the corners of the gnarled root.
Alternately, you can store fresh turmeric root in a rolled up paper bag. The paper bag will work similarly to the paper towel, by absorbing excess moisture. [4] X Research source
If you notice any mold developing, cut off the moldy spot and replace the paper towel.
Use a veggie brush to give the root a quick scrub, removing any dirt that is stuck to it. Angle the brush to get into all the nooks and crannies of the gnarled root.
Thoroughly drying the root will help avoid freezer burn. Freezer burn can make food taste unappealing, so it is worth the time it takes to dry the turmeric to avoid having to throw it away after a month in your freezer.
Turmeric will stain your hands a yellow/orange color. You can avoid this by wearing gloves. Avoid touching your clothes until you’ve washed your hands or removed the gloves. Hot water and a bit of dish soap should do the trick.
Turmeric root will be slightly softer when defrosted, but will still taste good. You can use a microplaner to grate the frozen turmeric root if you don’t want to wait for the knob to thaw.
You will be peeling the skin off before dehydrating, so don’t worry if there is still dirt stuck to the turmeric.
A little bit of skin is okay, so don’t stress if you can’t remove the skin from especially challenging corners of the root.
Turmeric will stain your hands a yellow/orange color. You can avoid this by wearing gloves. Avoid touching your clothes until you’ve washed it off of your hands or removed your gloves.
Place each round of ground powder into the airtight container you’ll use to store the spice. You can use a coffee grinder to grind spices, just never use it for coffee! Coffee beans are so robust that every spice you grind will taste like coffee.
You can also use a resealable plastic bag, though an airtight container is the best option.
