The term 'yellow spice' can refer to two different spices: TURMERIC (8 letters) and tumeric (7 letters). TURMERIC is a bright yellow-orange powder made from the rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant, which is native to India and Southeast Asia. It has a slightly bitter, earthy flavor and is commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. Tumeric is a related spice, also derived from the Curcuma longa plant, but it is less pungent and has a milder flavor. It is often used in Latin American cooking.