Turmeric Latte Surprised Me When I Finally Tried It – I Liked It!

I came late to the turmeric latte or golden milk trend. I’d read about and ripped out recipes for a few years without ever making one. This winter, in a week when all our coffee beans tasted bad to me, I decided it was time to try something different. There in my pile of untested recipes sat three for turmeric latte and I knew it was time. Now it has become an almost daily hot drink.

Turmeric/Curcumin is one of those recent fad health discoveries but has been used for centuries in Asian cultures. It is purported to cure everything from indigestion to arthritis and other inflammation with some debated results. I am more interested in the culinary applications, both flavor and color, but am happy it has some health benefits. Tejal Rao, the LA-based food writer, makes a version with black tea (which adds a layer of flavor and jolt of caffeine) and discusses its origins as an Indian home remedy. We appropriate all kinds of recipes from India and this tarted up cup (the basic medicinal version is known as Haldi doodh) is another in a long line. Pretty sure this is a cool weather drink because all the spices in it might be too warming on hot days but maybe, like spicy food, it could cool you. Perhaps it would make a good shake or smoothie. I guess that remains to be tested this summer.

The list of ingredients in the latte varies from recipe to recipe. Some are very basic, using just turmeric, cinnamon or ginger and honey or sugar while others have long ingredient lists including many spices. I took the middle road, using several spices and sweetened it with whole dates. (You can use fresh turmeric (and ginger) roots but if you are like me, your hands will be yellow-orange for a week from grating it). So as to avoid measuring out all the ingredients every time, I mix a big batch and keep it in a glass jar at the ready. The best dried turmeric (and other Indian spices) I have found is from Diaspora Co. – fresh, flavorful and fairly sourced. You can use any sweetener you like (the most common are honey and maple syrup but I use dates or stevia) and your milk of choice (cow, soy, nut, oat and coconut all work) and can be diluted with water). A jar of turmeric latte mix would make a nice house present (when we start visiting again) or a gift for a home bound friend. Oh, wait – that would be almost everyone!

TURMERIC LATTE MIX

Mix together:

• 1/2 cup turmeric powder
• 2 TBs cinnamon
• 1 1/2 TBs ground ginger
• 1 TB ground coriander
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

Put in a glass jar with a tight lid. Label with ingredients and directions.

To use, add 1 rounded teaspoon to 1 1/4 cups milk or 1 cup milk plus 1/4 cup water. Add 1 pitted medjool date or 1 spoon of honey or whatever sweetener you prefer. Whir in a blender until smooth and frothy.

Other possible ingredients (all ground):

• Star anise
• Cloves
• Lemongrass
• Ashwagandha
• Vanilla powder