Turmeric Latte Recipe
Turmeric Latte, often called ‘Golden Milk’ - this creamy elixir is an easy self-care drink that is healthy, easy to make, and tastes amazing! It makes a great antioxidant-rich morning or afternoon pick-me-up, or a before-bed relaxing ritual drink.
We’ve partnered up with Loki Chai to share this warming Turmeric Latte recipe with you, made with ground turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, and your choice of milk and sweetener.
Health Benefits of Turmeric
Superfoods seem to be popping up everywhere these days, which makes us wonder, is turmeric all it’s cracked up to be?
The answer is a resounding YES. Turmeric is a herb within the ginger family that has been used in ancient medicine for centuries, and is packed with a multitude of health benefits, thanks to the active component curcumin.
Some benefits include:
Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and free radical fighting properties
Improves brain function
Lowers cholesterol and risk of heart disease
Protects the liver
Helps relieve arthritis symptoms
Reduces menstrual pain
May improve joint pain & skin irritation
The anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric have been shown to be comparable to many pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, and it has been proven more effective than prozac for depression.
Furthermore, studies are being conducted on the effectiveness of curcumin in the treatment of cystic fibrosis, as well as the prevention and treatment of several different types of cancer, including breast, prostate, and colon cancer, and childhood leukemia.
Turmeric Latte FAQs
Where can I find fresh turmeric root? Our advice would be to check your local health food store or farmer’s market. We source our turmeric from our organic, Syntropic garden. But if you can’t find fresh turmeric root, no worries! Organic turmeric powder is also a great option and makes preparation quick and easy.
What sweetener should I use? How you sweeten your turmeric latte is completely up to you. Our recipe uses organic jaggery (Indian unrefined cane sugar), which aids in digestion, helps cleanse the liver by flushing toxins from the body, is loaded with antioxidants and minerals like zinc, iron and selenium, and can help to relieve menstrual problems. You could also use honey, stevia, coconut sugar, or any other unrefined sugar.
What milk should I use? Turmeric milk is traditionally made with full cream cow’s milk, but can easily be substituted with dairy-free milk. We used coconut milk, as the fat does wonders to help us absorb curcumin. In fact, we want the fat to help us carry phytonutrients from the spices through our cells! If you prefer a plant-based milk such as almond, you could add a little coconut oil to help you get the full benefits.
Do I need black pepper? It may seem strange, but this ingredient shouldn’t be skipped! Black pepper significantly improves the bioavailability and absorption of curcumin (the active compound in turmeric credited with all its healing properties).
What are the health benefits of cinnamon and cardamom?
Cinnamon has been known to help regulate blood sugar levels, contains a host of antioxidants, and it a proven mood lifter. It has a long history of use as a digestive aid, has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties & may help to prevent Alzheimers.
Cardamom improves digestion, beats bad breath, detoxifies the body, fights depression, may lower blood pressure and blood sugar, and is cancer fighting, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory.
Loki Chai
Special thanks to Loki Chai for sharing her healing turmeric latte recipe with us!
Loki Chai is a local, vegan, Northern Rivers based chai company found at markets and special events. She makes chai, turmeric lattes, vegan brownies and more, and sources her turmeric from the Krishna Village organic garden!