Each week in January in the food section, we’re profiling a food projected to trend on the isle scene this year. The installments come courtesy of food writer Martha Cheng.

Traditionally, turmeric’s most ubiquitous use has been as a spice, lending its orange-yellow hue to curries.

But fresh turmeric, or olena in Hawaiian, is now being hailed for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties.

“We have a huge and growing demand for locally grown olena,” said Janette Rizk of Whole Foods Market. Find the whole root there and expect to see more of it in smoothies and juices around town.

At Leahi Health, owner Jason Coleman adds it to the Olena Ale kombucha and The King Cure, a blend of olena, ginger, lemon, pineapple, apple, apple banana and local greens.

Over at ‘Ai Love Nalo, a new plant-based restaurant in Waimanalo, olena is included on the menu for its medicinal properties. Chef Michael Whalen features it in an iced ginger olena lemongrass hibiscus tea and the Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice smoothie. It’s even in salad dressings, such as a ginger-olena tahini.