Case studies pertaining to the health benefits of foods can be particularly effective in engaging students and in teaching core concepts in science (Heidemann and Urquart 2005). This case study focuses on the chemistry of curcumin, the health-promoting ingredient in turmeric. The case was developed to review core concepts in organic chemistry and to provide students with an opportunity to apply these concepts to a problem that they could relate to. The case could be adapted and used in courses in biochemistry and food science classes for the same purposes, because the chemical concepts covered in the case are ones also covered in these courses.