Hello, Everyone:
I recently came across a pork rub recipe from "Squeal Like a Pig." The recipe is as follows --
2 cups sugar; 2 cups brown sugar; 2 cups kosher salt; 2 cups black pepper; 1 cup chili powder; 1 cup paprika; 3/4 cup turmeric; 1/4 cup cayenne; 1/4 cup garlic powder; 1/4 cup onion powder.
Without getting into a debate on homemade v store-bought, I focused in on the amount of turmeric. I researched turmeric, and according to the websites I visited, turmeric is used primarily to add color, while cumin is used to add flavor. The websites also cautioned that when using turmeric, start out with very small amounts, and add more depending on how much you like it, or use less if you don't like it. If the turmeric doesn't add flavor, and only adds color, does the amount really make a difference?
I have rub recipes that call for turmeric AND cumin. So, I'm wondering...if turmeric is used to add color, and doesn't have any flavor, why would I want to add a yellow color to my pork? To me, cumin has more of a flavor bang, and the whole thing with rubs is to add flavor, and maybe bark, to the meat.
I'm thinking that maybe I could leave out the turmeric, and add a teaspoon or two of cumin for more flavor.
This is simply a "I'm curious about what others think" question, and not a "I have to know this or else" question.