Alleppey, a region and city in extreme southwestern India, produces two grades of turmeric sold on the US market. "Fingers", are appendages separated from the main rhizome and broken into 1-3 inch lengths. Fingers have a higher curcumin content (therefore, better color), more flavor (because of their volatile oil content), and are the best quality turmeric for grinding. The "splits and bulbs" grade are pieces derived from the main root. They are less expensive, but tend to be lower in overall quality (flavor, volatile oil, color), more fibrous and difficult to grind. Quality Notes: Turmeric contains 3%-6% of a group of yellow pigments called curcuminoids of which curcumin is the main pigment. Curcumin gives the rhizome its orange- yellow color and its level is an indication of quality. Turmeric is traded world-wide based on curcumin content.