~ by Dagmar Reinhard
A turmeric-based golden paste has many healing anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and antifungal properties. It is used in humans and domestic animals.
Turmeric comes from Asia, and it grows happily in our orchards and reproduces abundantly. Its rhizomes (underground horizontally growing stems that, on one side, produce aboveground vertical branches and, on the other, produce roots) are bright orange. Indigenous Borucas use it to dye their textiles, and it is a key ingredient in curry.
We talked to Gabi and Carolina, who came from the Central Valley to Uvita 14 years ago.
They call themselves “laborers,” which refers to women who are skilled at manual labor, such as working with thread and needles, and drills. Both ladies cultivate the land, work in construction, make handcrafts, and produce their brand, SOLAR Superfoods, which is then sold at the Uvita Fair.
Gabi prepares the “golden paste” following the traditional Hindu process; she cooks the turmeric roots for a few hours until they become softer and then adds oil and freshly ground black pepper. Besides Golden Paste, she also sells prebiotics, a type of food that improves the functioning of the digestive system and strengthens the immune system.
Gabi offers other products, such as kefir, fermented vegetables, kombucha, and stinking toe powder (an exotic fruit), which used to be a type of candy for the kids. Both women produce pure coconut milk (without water) with a press they design, along with gluten-free plantain and coconut bread.
Moreover, they prepare tinctures from medicinal plants, such as Ganoderma (also called reishi mushroom), which is highly medicinal because it has over 150 antioxidants and phytonutrients. Gabi and Carolina also make tinctures from bitter wood (a bilious tonic) and salmagundi (antifungal).
They aim to make these products available to the public because they are not sold in supermarkets.
Free Costa Rica Magazine #101
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