This turmeric tea recipe with ginger has incredible health benefits and it tastes amazingly delicious. Add milk to make it a creamy golden milk drink. Either way you serve it, your body will reap all the immunity boosting and anti-inflammatory benefits.
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This is of course not a traditional Mexican tea. But I want to share it with you because it’s something I drink often. The health benefits are amazing and it’s beneficial to meatless diets.
Table of Contents
What is Turmeric Tea
Turmeric tea is a slow simmered golden colored herbal tea traditional in India and Ayurvedic medicine.
It’s not only made with simple ingredients but it’s also delicious. If that’s not enough, this herbal tea is a boost to the immune system.
This is one of the best teas to drink specially during the winter months when, our bodies can use more healthy drinks and foods to help keep our bodies healthy.
What is Turmeric
Turmeric, or curcuma longa, is a root spice common to Indian cooking. It’s a rhizome, or in the same ginger family. It’s long been used in India for cooking, as a medicinal herb, and as a food dye.
In Mexico and Mexican cooking, turmeric powder is called cúrcuma molida. When fresh it’ll either be called raíz de azafrán or cúrcuma fresca. At least that’s the case here in Southern Mexico.
Turmeric gives curries and other Indian foods that beautiful vibrant yellow color.
Did you know that turmeric is also often used to give processed foods a yellow tone?
Yup, foods like yellow mustard, butter, cheese, some drinks, jams and preserves, ice cream, instant potatoes and many more.
In Europe you’ll find it on food labels as E 100and other parts of the world as turmeric or curcumin. It’s considered a safe food additive.
Turmeric powder is also a must add ingredient when making homemade vegan tofu eggs!
Health Benefits of Turmeric Tea
This golden yellow spice has long been believed to have amazing health properties. In Ayurvedic medicine it’s been used for thousands of years, but here in the West it’s been much more recent discovery.
In traditional medicine it’s believed that turmeric has anti-inflammatory compounds, antioxidant properties, and antitumor properties. In the scientific community there remains some skepticism about the health properties.
I always have ginger and turmeric root either in my fridge or freeze. Ground up it’s always in my spice drawer. I use it for Indian cooking but also for Mexican-Indian fusion recipes.
Being that it’s anti-inflammatory I try to use it in as many foods and drinks as I can to. Whenever I have a cold, or feel one coming on, or just have low on energy, I’ll make myself either this turmeric root tea or some ginger turmeric shots.
I have a family member that has had wonderful results from treating and managing their psoriasis with daily intake of turmeric root. Make sure to talk to your Dr. about this if you suffer from the skin disorder.
Turmeric Tea Benefits
This magical little rhizome has countless health properties, let me share a few.
- natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent
- anti-inflammatory, so used as a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis joint pain.
- Those suffering from autoimmune conditions, anti-inflammatory foods are a great addition to their diets.
- detoxifies the liver
- shown to be affective in fighting Alzheimer’s
- believed to be a good addition to diets of those with heart disease
- is a natural painkiller
- may help in weight loss and weight management
- used to treat depression
- can help lower blood pressure
- believed to have cancer-fighting properties
- it’s a powerful antioxidant
- can be mixed with other ingredients to create a soothing face mask
And the list goes on. Turmeric also happens to be a nice tasting and popular spice — just be warned that it does stain your hands and some cooking utensils and surfaces.
Turmeric Tea vs Golden Milk
Other names you may have heard for this tea are turmeric ginger tea, ginger turmeric tea or golden milk turmeric tea.
Are turmeric tea and golden milk the same thing?
Well yes and no. Let me explain.
In the West what we may call turmeric tea or golden milk will vary from the traditional Indian recipes for these nourishing teas.
For example, some Western recipes call for the use of fresh lemon juice. But in the traditional recipes this is not used.
Other differences may be in the spices that can be incorporated into the tea. There are Western recipes that don’t use any spices.
One big difference too can be that some people will refer to turmeric tea made with water. Whereas golden milk has milk added to it — it can be dairy based or a plant-based milk. I like to use almond milk.
Quick F.A.Q. You Need to Know About Turmeric Tea
Why You Need to Combine Black Pepper with Turmeric?
One thing we do need to know about turmeric is that adding black pepper helps our bodies with the absorption of curcumin (the compound in turmeric) and therefore reap all it’s benefits.
Turmeric and Healthy Fats
Just like black pepper, the combination of turmeric with a healthy fat is said to help in better absorption of turmeric. I like to use coconut oil.
Do I Need to Add Honey?
Honey too has incredible health benefits, so I suggest using this sweetener instead of others.
How Can I Make Vegan Turmeric Tea and Golden Milk?
If you’re vegan and can’t use honey, then use agave nectar.
Can I Use Turmeric Powder Instead of Turmeric Root?
Yes you can! For my recipe use 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder instead of the fresh root. You can adjust it to your taste.
Can I use Ground Ginger Instead of Fresh Ginger Root?
Yes you can. Just like the turmeric powder, you want to use 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger with my recipe.
Does Turmeric Tea and Golden Milk Contain Caffeine?
No they don’t. These teas don’t use tea bags, black tea, or loose leaf tea like some chai teas do or other commercial turmeric tea blends. By the way, the word chai is actually the Hindi word for tea. But in the West we’ve butchered it to mean the spiced tea or masala chai.
Ingredients Needed for The Best Turmeric Tea
To make this immunity boosting tea you need some easy to find ingredients. You can find all of them at any grocery stores. There’s also Amazon, I’ll be sure to link to them.
- turmeric root (you can also use turmeric powder aka ground turmeric)
- ginger root (you can also use ginger powder)
- cinnamon stick
- black pepper (wither ground or whole peppercorns)
- clove
- cardamom
- coconut oil
- water
- milk
- honey or sweetener of choice
Don’t be intimidated if the ingredients sound a bit exotic, they all work together to make a unique yet delicious tasting drink.
How to Make It
The process is quite easy and won’t take too long. You can choose whether to use fresh turmeric and ginger root or to use powdered. Check the notes for this.
- Peel the turmeric and ginger root using a spoon — the spoon is the easiest way to peel them.
- Grate the peeled turmeric and ginger into a small pot or small saucepan.
- Add cinnamon stick.
- Add coconut milk.
- Add clove.
- Add ground cardamom.
- Add crushed black peppercorns.
- Pour in water.
- Bring to a boil.
- Pour and Mix in milk. (if using)
- Pour in the honey.
- Strain into cups and serve.
Make it With Turmeric Powder and Ground Ginger
Simple add it to the pot along with the other ingredients. The rest of the process is the same.
How to Serve
Serve the warm tea immediately. You can sprinkle some ground turmeric or cinnamon on top, if desired. On a hot day you can serve over ice for a refreshing cup of tea.
Store any leftover in the fridge and consume within a few days.
This turmeric tea is soothing to your senses and the spiciness from the ginger and black pepper will pep you up and excite your taste buds!
More Recipes Using Turmeric
Check out these turmeric recipes too. They are all delicious, healthy and a must try.
- How to Make Ginger and Turmeric Shots
- Migas | Mexican Breakfast Made Vegan
- Potato and Yellow Split Pea Curry
- Breakfast Tacos: Huevos con Salchicha (check the veganize instructions)
- Vegan Fried Chicken | Oyster Mushroom Fried Chicken
- Cheese and Jalapeño Tamales Recipe (I add turmeric powder to the vegetable broth)
How to Make Turmeric Tea
Ok amigos below is the printable recipe for making this delicious turmeric tea. I really how you make it and that you too can benefit from all the wonderful health benefits. This homemade fresh turmeric tea is much better than buying those turmeric tea bags, it tastes much better.
The Best Turmeric Tea with Ginger Recipe (Golden Milk)
Thisturmeric tea recipewith ginger has incredible health benefits, add milk to make it a creamygolden milkdrink. Reap all theimmunity boosting and anti-inflammatory benefits with this warming, soothing and delicious tea.
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Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine Indian, vegan
Servings 2 servings
Calories 79 kcal
Ingredients
- 3 inch fresh turmeric root* peeled
- 1.5 Tablespoons fresh ginger root* peeled and grated
- 1 whole cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil measured in solid state
- 1 whole clove
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 4 whole black peppercorns* bruised
- 2 cups filtered water
- 1 cups unsweetened almond milk and unflavored
- 1 Tablespoon honey or vegan honey* amount it to taste
- ground turmeric and ground cinnamon for serving optional
Instructions
Peel both the turmeric and ginger root using a spoon or a potato peeler.
Grate the peeled turmeric and ginger into a small pot.
Add the coconut oil and remaining spices.
Pour in water. Bring to a boil.
Pour in milk and stir until well combined.
Pour in the honey and simmer for a couple of minutes to warm the milk and dilute the honey.
Strain the tea into mugs and enjoy!
Video
Notes
* If you don’t have fresh turmeric root or ginger root then use 1/2 teaspoon ground of each. Or adjust to your taste.
Turmeric root stains your fingers, so if you don’t want to deal with the stains use gloves.
* Substitute with 1/4 teaspoon ground or to taste.
* To make vegan and instead of honey you can use vegan honey or agave syrup.
Please notice that the calorie amounts will vary depending on the type of milk you used, and what sweetener you used.
Nutrition
Serving: 2servingsCalories: 79kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 177mgPotassium: 68mgFiber: 2gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 13IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 177mgIron: 0.5mg
Tried this recipe?Leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review and tag me on social media @MexicanMadeMeatless or tag #mexicanmademeatless!
Nancy Lopez
Nancy Lopez is a food blogger and author of the cookbook Mexican Tamales Made Meatless. Born in Mexico, raised in the US, and currently living in Southern Mexico, she has followed a meatless diet for almost 10 years. It is her passion and mission to share all she has learned about vegan Mexican cooking and vegetarian Mexican recipes. Mexican Made Meatless is a blog dedicated to preserving the authentic flavors of Mexican cuisine just without the meat. It’s a place to celebrate Mexican culture and all it’s delightfully delicious traditional foods. Read more…
