Mumbai: HL October 18, 2026
Bollywood actor Sanjay Mishra has drawn attention to a simple way of consuming fresh turmeric through a quick, lemon-marinated preparation made with kachhi haldi, or raw turmeric. The easy recipe, featured in social media videos, offers a convenient way to include this traditional Indian ingredient in everyday meals without cooking it into a curry.
The preparation requires only fresh turmeric and lemon juice. It resembles a simple instant pickle and can be served as a side dish alongside lunch or dinner. However, claims about its health benefits should be considered separately from the recipe itself, as eating raw turmeric has not been proven to prevent viral infections or guarantee specific health outcomes.
How to Make Sanjay Mishra’s Kachhi Haldi Recipe
The preparation is straightforward and requires minimal ingredients.
Ingredients
- Fresh raw turmeric (kachhi haldi)
- Fresh lemon juice
Method of preparation
1. Wash, peel and slice the turmeric: Clean the fresh turmeric roots thoroughly under running water. Peel them and cut them into thin strips.
2. Add lemon juice: Place the turmeric strips in a clean bowl or small jar and squeeze fresh lemon juice over them until they are lightly coated.
3. Allow the flavours to develop: Let the mixture rest briefly before serving so the lemon juice coats the turmeric slices.
4. Serve as a side dish: Enjoy a small quantity alongside a regular meal, similar to a pickle or raw onion accompaniment. Prepare small batches and refrigerate any leftovers in a clean, covered container.
How Is Raw Turmeric Traditionally Consumed?
Raw turmeric is used in various Indian culinary preparations, including pickles, chutneys and traditional home recipes. Its characteristic colour and flavour come largely from curcuminoids, including curcumin, which has been studied for its biological properties.
Adding lemon juice provides acidity and a fresh citrus flavour. The resulting preparation can add variety to everyday meals, but the amount of lemon juice and the time the turmeric is left to rest do not establish that the mixture has medicinal effects.
Turmeric is widely recognised as a culinary ingredient and has attracted scientific interest because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory and other research settings.
Is Raw Turmeric Good for Skin and Eyes?
Turmeric is often associated with traditional skincare practices, but consuming this simple preparation has not been shown to guarantee glowing skin or improve eyesight. Eye health depends on adequate nutrition, including essential vitamins and nutrients, as well as appropriate eye care.
Who Should Be Careful While Eating Raw Turmeric?
Although turmeric is commonly used in food, larger quantities may cause stomach discomfort, acidity or other digestive symptoms in some people. Those with gallbladder problems or people taking medicines that may interact with turmeric supplements should seek medical advice before using concentrated turmeric products. Normal culinary use is different from taking high-dose supplements.
Sanjay Mishra’s lemon-marinated kachhi haldi preparation is a simple way to enjoy fresh turmeric as part of a meal. Its appeal lies in its ease of preparation and traditional flavour, while claims about immunity, skin and eye health require appropriate scientific evidence.
