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In Asia, turmeric powder's main use for thousands of years was as a dyestuff. At one time, sun worshipers, whose sacred color was yellow, dyed their textiles with the very expensive saffron. When it was discovered that the very inexpensive turmeric produced the same brilliant color, the sacred saffron was guarded for special culinary dishes. To this day, some Hindu brides paint themselves with turmeric as part of the wedding ceremony, while married women rub it into their cheeks to give an attractive golden glow. In Asia, turmeric is considered a good luck charm; newborn babies might have it rubbed on their forehead, or a bit of the root may be made into a necklace for them to wear. Turmeric is a member of the ginger family and is an essential for making curries. Its golden-color can replicate saffron's coloring for dishes, but not its distinct flavor due to turmeric being more mustard-like in taste. You can also use turmeric in cakes or to make the increasingly popular golden milk latte.