Turmeric Latte

 Its a been written before, and shared by many, but it never hurts to have a reminder of the ways we can honor and nourish ourselves with a simple recipe.  I’ve long been a fan of nourishing milk infusions of herbs, powdered, whole, blended, warm, with honey or not.  I often make an infused ashwaganda, rose and cinnamon milk as a sweet and delicious way to take your daily dose of ashwaganda, and herbs are often administered in milk, or ghee, or both, in Ayurvedic  herbal medicine.  And really what a nice, warm, and nourishing way to take your herbs- more indulgent and comforting that just tea and can be enjoyed evening or morning.

I’ve been enjoying turmeric latte’s at a local cafe, but wanted to share my homemade super version, which has the added benefit of super fresh spices, and coconut oil.

First, you need fresh turmeric roots.   And yes, you can do this with turmeric powder if you really can’t find

fresh roots, but do try, because they are especially yummy.  Here’s the HOW TO:

Turmeric Chai Latte (otherwise known as golden milk, turmeric

milk and what have you).

12 oz milk (dairy or non dairy is fine)

1 – 4 inch section of fresh turmeric root (1 tsp powder

1 tsp cinnamon powder

1/8 tsp black pepper, ground

1/8 tsp clove powder

1 tsp fresh ground cardamom seed

1/8 tsp sea salt

1 tbsp coconut oil, butter or ghee

honey to taste

Grate the fresh turmeric root into your milk in a small sauce pan.  Add the remaining powdered herbs and salt.  Bring to a gentle, warm simmer, and the milk turns bright golden yellow.  Remove from heat, add your coconut oil or ghee, and the honey if you desire,  though I love it unsweetened, an herbal infused honey can also add a depth of healing medicine as well (ginger, rose, or other infused honeys are nice).

Note: you can also add other herbal powders to your milk if you desire.  Options are: 1 tsp powdered ashwaganda, shatavari, rose, codonopsis, astragalus, etc)

At this point, whisk firmly with a wire whisk to foam up the milk and incorporate the butter/oil, OR pour it all in the blender and whiz for a minute or so on high to froth up the milk. (If you have a special milk frother, that will work too.)

Serve piping hot.

Make sure to eat and chew up all the grated turmeric root in the cup too, don’t miss that potent herbal medicine at the bottom.   Turmeric is a spice well known in Indian cooking and Ayurvedic medicine that is becoming ever more revered in Western herbalism as well, as a potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, wound healer, anti-infective, digestive stimulant, liver detoxifier and more. It is gently warming.   It is closely related to ginger, but doesn’t have quite the same spicy bite, but is infinitely more yellowy orange, and will stain, so do be careful not to get it on your clothes or counter.

 

 

 

After a long day on the job, running after your kids, or when you just want a gentle and delicious way to nourish your body and soul any time of day –  Sit down to a cup of hot herbal infused Turmeric Chai Latte.  Rub your belly, massage your feet, annoint your temples with a sweet calming botanical perfume or essential oil and breathe.