I just bought a curry plant at the local garden center. It was in the herb section, is this what curry powder is made from? It smells really good. Any suggestions for growing and using it? I'm in zone 5. Thanks! :)

-- Sherri C in Central IN (CeltiaSkye@aol.com), May 22, 2002

Answers

Hiya Sherri!

Curry powder is a blend of lots of different herbs and spices, and in fact there are hundreds of different recipes for it, mostly regional.

I think there are more than one plant called curry plant; they get their name from the fragrance of the leaves or flowers. Do you have the botanical name of the plant you bought?

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), May 23, 2002.

Sherri, As earthmama stated it's combination of spices and can have ranges of temperature or spicyness depending on where you get it from. Here is a recipe from Homesteading today; Posted: Thu May 23, 2002 7:30 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- This plant is popular for delightfully curry-scented foliage. Related to the strawflower, it bears attractive golden yellow flowers.

This is not the commercial source of curry power. Curry powder is a mixture of several herbs and spices (recipe to follow) .

The English use this herb in cream cheese for sandwiches and in salads,especially egg and chicken.

The essential oil is used to enhance fruit flavors in confections and perfumes.

Curry Powder There several types of curry powder (including strenghths of hotness), but this is the Indian Curry Powder we are typically purchase in the US

/2-inch long cinnamon stick 2 T cumin seeds 2 T ground coriander 1 T cardamom pods, shelled 1 tsp whole cloves 1 T black pepper corns 1 tsp ground turmeric

Dry roast all of the spices in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. The whole process should take about 10 minutes. Let cool. Transfer spices to a grinder and blend until smooth. Store in an airtight jar. I have no idea about the plant???? Enjoy, it has a wonderful flavor!

-- Kelle in MT (kellemt@yahoo.com), May 23, 2002.

There is a tree called curry leaf that grows in the tropics and is sometimes included in curry powders. This is where the English got the word "curry" from. But you can't grow it outdoors in the US, and certainly not in zone 5! Curry plant is completely different and though it smells heavenly in the garden, it does not give a very strong taste to food. It is best as a scented garden herb.

-- Kayt Sted (czsjunk@yahoo.com), November 18, 2002.