Organic turmeric syrup - Domaine de Picasso

Thierry Vitry grows and processes his organic turmeric, Réunion's yellow gold, at La Plaine des Grègues, in the heights of Saint-Joseph. He transforms it into turmeric syrup and turmeric powder.

"I started growing turmeric as a child. I've been immersed in it since birth.

We're in La Plaine des Grègues, where I grow organic turmeric. I have two product ranges: a culinary range and a medicinal range.

We've been farmers for several generations. We grew a bit of everything: turmeric, sugar cane, and we also raised poultry, pigs, oxen... When my father retired, I took over the farm and continued with turmeric.

I work in organic production. The only mechanization I use is the brushcutter, which I pass between the rows. Then I finish by hand to weed the turmeric rows.

The special thing about turmeric here is that it grows on the Plaine des Grègues. This is a plateau surrounded by mountains, which retain moisture. The soil is ideal for turmeric, and I think it's due to the volcanic geology, which makes this land really rich.

Being at the gateway to the National Park, I wanted to obtain the National Park Spiritmark . For me, it's very important to keep this environment healthy and to work in a respectful way: to produce in small quantities, but well, and always in a human way."