Ukon (Turmeric Chips) Japanese dye

Description

Ukon (Turmeric Root Chips) Curcuma longa

Turmeric is long regarded as a spice, prized medicine and ceremonial dye in many SE and Asian cultures. Turmeric is the rhizome (knobby root) of Curcuma longa, a tropical perennial that is part of the ginger family. It is one of the oldest cultivated spices in the SE Asian palette, and has been grown in Japan and Okinawa for centuries. It’s called Ukon in Japanese and it makes a vibrant bright yellow that is somewhat fragile against light-fastness and pH changes.  Still, we love the way it combines with other colors in the Japanese palette. The fabric samples were dyed at 100% wof and the sashiko threads were dyed at 200% wof.

Due to the fragility of this color, we recommend avoiding long exposure to sunlight.

Tumeric root chips may be used until no color is left to extract from them, or they make an amazing pop of color for bundle dyeing.  Multiple extractions will yield lighter dye baths.  The chips may be composted after use.

Sold in 50 gram reuseable plastic jars.