Time for some Turmeric Tea latte

Turmeric tea latte, a.k.a. golden milk, gives you plenty of reasons to give it a try. A light, spicy flavor that reminds you of Masala Chai tea. A list of health benefits that keeps getting longer. And would you look at that lovely golden hue! A peppery, milky turmeric tea is easy to brew at home (check out the recipe at the end). But if you don’t have the time or the patience to make golden milk from scratch, you can always buy a ready-to-brew blend.

What Turmeric Tea is good for?

The health benefits of turmeric tea come from the substance that gives turmeric its yellow color. It calls itself curcumin, and has excellent anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting properties. Which means that it’ll fight the symptoms of all those winter coughs and sniffles. In fact, alternative medicine believes that chronic inflammation plays a role in many digestive issues, heart diseases, and degenerative conditions. Sip turmeric tea on a regular basis, and wellness and longevity could be yours for the taking.

Take it from the Okinawans

We’ve discovered turmeric tea quite recently, but the smart people on the Japanese island of Okinawa were way ahead of us. There are two things that a lot of Okinawans make the news for. Downing multiple cups of turmeric tea every day. And living to see their hundredth birthdays.

And the Indian connection…

Sure, turmeric is just one ingredient in the Okinawan diet. But trek a few thousand miles west, and you’ll find generous quantities of it in practically every Indian recipe. Indians have put turmeric to use in countless traditional dishes and Ayurvedic remedies. Oh, and they seem to have the world’s lowest rates of Alzheimer’s disease.

How much turmeric tea should you drink a day?

How much turmeric tea you consume doesn’t matter as much as how you consume it. Curcumin, the active ingredient that gives turmeric its health benefits, forms only a small part of the spice. Plus, it isn’t very easy for the body to absorb. Experts suggest taking about 500mg of curcuminoids a day for a healthy gut and inflammation-free system. Which equates to a couple teaspoons of fresh turmeric. It’s best to drink teas that actually contain generous amounts of fresh or dried turmeric, as opposed to preservative-heavy products that have just a hint of the spice. Also, it’s best to add black pepper to your turmeric tea as it helps the body absorb curcumin.

Flavor highlights and reviews

Turmeric tea, is made by brewing turmeric root or pure turmeric powder with water. Fresh turmeric works best, bringing in a “clean and bright flavor”. But there are no rules against using dried turmeric either. Adding milk brings a “warm and cozy” feel to the brew, making it a “nice bedtime drink”. Tea drinkers who “sub it for [their] morning coffee” add herbs and spices like pepper and ginger. If you’re short on time, or looking to discover your kind of turmeric tea, try some store-sold varieties. Blends featuring turmeric, ginger, and tulsi tend to be “smooth and relaxing”. Citrusy add-ons like lemongrass or orange peel give them a “deeper flavor with an unexpected twist”. Some first-time drinkers have found the taste “a bit odd at first, but then started craving it”. If a whiff of turmeric makes you wrinkle your nose, sprinkling some cinnamon or pepper in the tea might make it a better “flavorful pick-me-up”.

And we promised you a recipe…

Delicious homemade golden milk turmeric tea (2 cups):

What you’ll need

• 1 tablespoon loose leaf black tea
• 1” piece, thinly sliced fresh unpeeled turmeric
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk
• 1 cup water
• 3” stick cinnamon
• ¼ tablespoon whole black peppercorns
• ½” piece, thinly sliced unpeeled ginger
• 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon raw honey

How to make

In a saucepan, add the turmeric, milk, tea leaves, cinnamon, peppercorns, ginger, coconut oil, and a cup of water. Bring the mix to a boil, then simmer for 10-15 minutes, by which time the flavors should’ve melded. Strain it into mugs, sweeten with honey, sprinkle some cinnamon on top (optional), and enjoy!

Tea tips

Homemade turmeric teas taste best when made using fresh turmeric. If you’re using dried turmeric, remember that it tends to sink to the bottom of your cup, so keep stirring as you drink. You’re free to adjust the proportion of ingredients depending on how you fancy your brew. Try different kinds of tea or omit it altogether for a decaf version. The only thing we do not recommend is skipping black pepper and coconut oil. They both enhance the absorption of curcumin. Oh, and you can make your golden milk turmeric tea in bulk and stash it in the fridge! Just remember to store it in an airtight container, warm it before drinking, and use it up within 5 days (no doubt you will!).

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