For a warming pick-me-up, it’s hard to beat a batch of this tasty tea.
The recipe was provided courtesy of a seamstress I used to work with. Originally from India, Krishna would roast, grind, and mix all of her own masala blends – and this spice-infused beverage with its heady fragrance was a favorite among the crew members.
It’s far more than just a delicious beverage with a wonderful aroma. The spices serve up high levels of beneficial antioxidants and disease-preventing phytochemicals.
Spices are among the richest sources of antioxidants, and this drink has plenty. Not only does it help to keep our internal systems operating at peak efficiency, a cup of this brew will leave you feeling more energized as well.
Turmeric delivers curcumin, cinnamon contains cinnamic acid, cloves source eugenol, and black pepper has piperine – all of which are powerful, naturally occurring antioxidants within these potent spices.
Combined, you’ll be sipping ingredients that may help to reduce chronic inflammation, reduce blood sugars, aid with digestion, and support heart health. They’re also antibacterial and antimicrobial.
Want to learn more about the healthful impact of these spicy culinary stars? Read our article on assorted warming spices to get further info on their medicinal qualities.
Stimulating and refreshing, brewing up a pot of this tea doesn’t take a lot of culinary skill – no more than the ability to boil water and use a teaspoon!
The use of fresh turmeric, if available, will mellow out the flavor a bit. Personally, I prefer the more intense taste the dried spice delivers. And of course, you can adjust the amounts to suit your preferences.
To retain the many health benefits of this tea, use a natural sweetener such as honey or agave nectar in place of refined sugar. Add to taste sparingly, and keep in mind that all sweeteners provide mostly empty calories – though natural versions like honey include at least trace amounts of some vitamins and minerals.
And to keep it non-dairy, use a plant-based creamer that is low in added sugar and made without animal fats. Almond, coconut, cashew, hemp, or soy are all great options.
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Krishna’s Golden Turmeric Tea
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 mugs
Description
Ingredients
- 6-8 cups water
- 2 teaspoons ground turmeric or 2 tablespoons freshly sliced
- 2-3 cinnamon sticks or 2 teaspoons ground
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 2-by-2-inch (approximately) piece of fresh ginger, coarsely sliced, or 1 teaspoon ground
- Honey (optional)
- Non-dairy creamer (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium pot, combine all of the ingredients except the honey and creamer, and bring just to a boil. Reduce heat promptly, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Strain into cups through a fine mesh sieve or tea strainer. Sweeten and add creamer to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Tea
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Beverage
Keywords: tea, golden, turmeric
Sip and Enjoy
The flavors of turmeric tea are quite intense, and the addition of a spoonful of honey with a splash of dairy-free milk helps to smooth and unify the overall taste. Add these to your liking!
Remember, this spice is also a dye. If you plan to make this drink regularly, you may want to dedicate an old pot (or mugs) for the task. Over time, the turmeric as well as the other spices will discolor enamel pots and even stainless steel.
And you definitely don’t want to serve this in any heirloom bone china tea cups – fine cracks in the glaze will absorb the colors and leave a stain.
Here’s a tip: To remove stains, apply a paste of baking soda and white vinegar, rub in gently until clean, then rinse well.
Want another beverage that uses this spice? Try my recipe for a dairy-free pineapple coconut smoothie. It’s perfectly creamy and spiced to perfection!
And if you’re looking for more ways to use turmeric, try it infused in our savory red lentil stew with kale.
For more satisfying drink recipes, you’ll love to sip on these Foodal favorites:
What’s your favorite way to enjoy the antioxidant-rich benefits of flavorful spices? And how will you adapt this recipe to suit your palate? Let us know in the comments!
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Photos by Lorna Kring, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details.
The staff at Foodal are not medical professionals and this article should not be construed as medical advice. Foodal and Ask the Experts, LLC assume no liability for the use or misuse of the material presented above. Always consult with a medical professional before changing your diet, or using supplements or manufactured or natural medications.
*Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.
About Lorna Kring
Recently retired as a costume specialist in the TV and film industry, Lorna now enjoys blogging on contemporary lifestyle themes. A bit daft about the garden, she’s particularly obsessed with organic tomatoes and herbs, and delights in breaking bread with family and friends.
Tried this today, the basic flavour is good but the proportions need adjusting. I halved the amount of ginger and it’s still pretty overwhelming – will probably only use a 1-inch piece next time. And would use whole peppercorns instead of ground as it’s a bit burny rather than warming.