You probably know it from delicious soups and curries in Indian cuisine: We're talking about turmeric, the vibrant orange sister of ginger. With its mild, earthy aroma, turmeric is a highlight of the Ayurvedic diet. Infused in hot water the root unfolds its unique aromatic properties in depth. In this guide you will find all the important information about turmeric as tea, a beloved all-rounder among spices.
The Basics for Preparing Turmeric Tea
Turmeric is a favorite in diets that are diverse in variety and taste. As a spice in tea turmeric can also show versatility. There are a few things you should keep in mind if you want to prepare an aromatic cup of this golden-yellow happiness.
How to Choose the Right Turmeric
Both fresh turmeric root and turmeric powder are suitable for preparing turmeric tea. When using the fresh root, the earthy aromas of turmeric can fully bloom. It's therefore best to grate it into fine shreds. Fresh organic turmeric can be processed with its skin after thorough cleaning. When infused in warm water the fresh scrapings dye the tea a strong yellow and orange. Hardly any other natural spice can create such vivid colors as turmeric.
Tea from fresh turmeric root is a soothing treat in busy everyday life. If you don't have fresh turmeric at hand, turmeric powder is an excellent alternative. Moreover, turmeric powder has the advantage of lasting longer when stored dry, dark, and airtight compared to fresh turmeric.
A teaspoon of turmeric powder corresponds to approximately 8 grams of fresh turmeric. The color and taste of the powder in tea are less intense, making it an ideal beginner’s tea for those new to turmeric.
Turmeric in Tea: Endless Combination Possibilities
Turmeric, like saffron, has the unique ability to infuse any culinary creation with an intense golden-yellow color, hence its nickname ‘saffron root.’ It complements many herbal and fruit tea blends beautifully. Here are some of our favorites at PAPER & TEA:
- The pair of turmeric and ginger is a true classic. The refreshing spice of ginger and the mild-earthy taste of turmeric complement each other perfectly.
- Cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, or cloves add additional complexity and aromatic depth to your cup of turmeric tea.
- With honey, you can round off the gentle spice of turmeric into a true feel-good drink.
- A splash of lemon or orange turns your warm cup of turmeric into a refreshing tea drink. The acidity balances the slightly bitter sweetness of turmeric excellently.
At PAPER & TEA, we've been fans of this wonderful root for a long time. GOLDEN BOOST N°821 is one of our aromatic spice tea blends, combining turmeric with ginger root. With sweet anise seeds, cocoa beans and cinnamon from certified organic farming, the warmth of turmeric melds into our unique GOLDEN BOOST N°821.
Popular Turmeric Tea Recipes
We have selected two of the most popular turmeric tea recipes for you, so you can prepare a cup of sun-yellow relaxation at home.
The Classic: Fresh Turmeric Tea with Black Pepper
The simplest way to enjoy turmeric is a cup of homemade turmeric tea. A popular combination from the Ayurvedic kitchen is turmeric with freshly ground black pepper, which together form a delicious power team.
For your cup of golden happiness, you need:
- 8 grams of fresh turmeric or 1 tsp of turmeric powder
- 250ml of 100°C hot water
- A pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: A splash of fresh lemon or orangeer Orange
Pour the boiling water over the fresh turmeric or stir in 1 tsp of turmeric powder. Add the freshly ground pepper and refine the tea with a splash of fresh lemon or orange juice.
Let the turmeric powder steep for no longer than 3 minutes; however, you can leave fresh turmeric 5 minutes to fully develop its aroma. If you use freshly grated turmeric, you should strain the tea before enjoying it. Your cup will shine in the brightest yellow and after a brief cooling period you can enjoy this natural tea creation.
Hot Milk with a Special Touch: Golden Milk
You already enjoy Chai Latte and Matcha Latte? Then you should try the delicious turmeric latte! Golden milk is an explosion of flavors: no wonder it is one of the most popular recipes of Ayurvedic cuisine!
You need the following for a cup of golden milk:
- 1 tsp of turmeric powder or about 8 grams of fresh turmeric
- ½ tsp of ginger powder or about 10 grams of fresh ginger, sliced
- 250 ml of milk; we recommend an unsweetened plant-based milk of your choice
- A pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- Honey, maple syrup or another sweetener of your choice
- Optional: Cinnamon, cloves or cardamom
First, heat the milk carefully on medium heat. Then add the turmeric, ginger, black pepper, and honey or the sweetener of your choice. Optionally, you can also refine your golden milk with your favorite spices from the Ayurvedic kitchen. Stir the ingredients well and make sure the milk doesn't begin to boil.
You should let the milk simmer for at least 4 minutes so that your special spice composition can fully develop. If you use fresh ingredients and whole spices you should strain the drink before enjoying it.
Golden milk has a creamy texture and simply tastes of well-being. The mildly spicy turmeric pairs well with the gentle flavor boosts from the ginger and black pepper. The sweetness of the milk and honey perfectly rounds off this wonderful spicy revelation.
The popular turmeric latte also pairs well with PAPER & TEA's GOLDEN BOOST chocolate. The delicately melting white organic chocolate is a real treat, exploring the finest turmeric and ginger aromas in a buttery yellow hue. A special chocolate experience for connoisseurs of our unique spice tea blend GOLDEN BOOST N°821.
Grow Turmeric at Home
The turmeric root steams originally from Southeast Asia and can easily be grown at home in your garden or even on the windowsill. Let a small piece of fresh turmeric root, preferably organic, sprout in a glass of warm water for 12 - 20 hours. Then plant the sprouted root with the cut side down in soil. Regular watering is important but be careful not to let the soil get too wet or waterlogged. Turmeric likes particularly warm and bright places but not direct sunlight. After a few weeks, you should see a shoot sprouting from your turmeric root, and you can now transplant it into a larger pot. The rhizome, commonly known as the turmeric root, needs space to grow. You can expect beautiful pink flowers and in autumn, when the leaves of the turmeric plant begin to wither, you can harvest the turmeric root. Keep a small piece of your precious harvest, so you can repeat the process and grow your own turmeric.
Turmeric: The Spice with Endless Possibilities
Turmeric is a jack-of-all-trades. If you're keen to try some tea recipes with this wonderful root you should start to consume pure turmeric in moderation. Our GOLDEN BOOST N°821 can be enjoyed cup after cup any time of day. We finely balanced turmeric and other aromas to create a soothing tea experience for you.
