Turmeric Tea ~ Its anti-inflammatory properties are legendary, so give this nurturing tea a try if you’re stuffed up, sore, or coughing. It makes a great calming bedtime drink, too, even if you’re perfectly healthy.
How are you feeling? A little under the weather? Tired? Stuffed up? Not quite yourself? Turmeric might be just what the doctor ordered. Turmeric is the bright yellow spice that gives mustards and curries their vivid color. In raw form it’s a little root-like thing, related to ginger, only a deep vivid orange inside. The color is so intense that it was originally used as a dye, but turmeric milk, or tea, has also been used in India as a healing drink for thousands of years, and lately Westerners have discovered turmeric in a big way. It has one of the longest lists of health benefits of any food known to man, from healing cuts to slowing the growth of cancers, and Alzheimer’s disease.
I made mine with coconut milk, but you can also use ALMOND MILK, or regular dairy milk, it’s up to you.
Ingredients
- 2 cups coconut milk (or almond milk)
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 6 peppercorns
- 6 cardamom pods
- 1 star anise
- pinch of cayenne pepper
- honey to taste
Instructions
- Gently crack the cardamom pods open with a rolling pin, being careful not to lose the tiny black seeds. Break the cinnamon stick in two.
- Put all the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat and let steep for 5 minutes.
- Bring the tea back up to a simmer, then strain into warm mugs.
- Top with a little ground cinnamon, if desired.
Other Turmeric Tea or Milk recipes to try—
Turmeric Milk from Journey Kitchen
Spiced Turmeric Milk from Kiran Tarun
Spiced Turmeric Milk from Cooking with Books
Turmeric Tea from 101 Cookbooks
25 Comments
Brianne
July 11, 2016 at 8:14 pmThis was delicious. I had no cardamon pods or star anise, but I did add a sprinkle of ground cardamon. I also swapped the honey with maple syrup. Divine and warming, perfect even on a July night. Thank you for the inspiring recipe.
pam
March 5, 2015 at 7:12 amSue–I paid $12.99 a pound but got alot. I also cut it into small pieces and put it in my freeze to keep it fresh. Like with ginger, it will keep along time, as fresh turmeric has a limited time that it is available fresh. This a.m. I added cocoa powder to this recipe, heated it up and it was a fabulous hot cocoa!!! This recipe is a keeper!!
Sue
March 5, 2015 at 7:19 amCocoa powder, really? That’s a wild idea, I need to try!
Pam
March 3, 2015 at 11:48 amjust made this but used fresh turmeric root. It is so good!! Will drink before bed tonight. Very creamy and full of flavor.
Sue
March 3, 2015 at 12:17 pmThey just started carrying fresh turmeric at my grocery store, I’m so excited!
Barbara
October 19, 2014 at 3:33 pmCan double and store this, or if just for one – half the ingredients?
Sue
October 19, 2014 at 3:49 pmSure, just cut everything in half, Barbara!
Alanna
February 14, 2014 at 6:10 pmOoh, this looks delicious! I’ve been making a ginger lemon honey turmeric tea for colds, but the chai spices here sound divine. Can’t wait to try it- thank you for posting.
Mary
February 13, 2014 at 6:51 amOh Sue – this is perfect. We’re sitting inside with colds watching the blizzard outside, what could be better and I think (hope/pretty sure) I have all the ingredients – this tea could get us through the rest of the winter!! Thanks:)
Mary x
Rosanna
February 10, 2014 at 6:56 amHi Sue,
This tea sounds incredible and this is my first time learning the health benefits of turmeric, though I often cook with. Last week I saw fresh turmeric at my local produce store; I hope they still have it when I go shopping this week. Thanks for the recipe and I love the illustration!
Sue
February 10, 2014 at 6:59 amThanks Rosanna! I’m noticing fresh turmeric in several of my regular food stores, now that I have an eye out for it. I’m going to use the fresh in a curry one of these days. And my daughter is doing the illustrations, we’re having a lot of fun.
gareth
February 8, 2014 at 3:32 pmGet a mug, grate tablespoon of skinned raw turmeric(very cheap,in ethnic stores) also same with raw ginger pinch of cayenne pepper, manuka or other quality honey to taste, if you have tried this drink from the powdered products you will find the above recipe is far superior(no bitterness) I dont strain it and leave all ingredients to marinate in mug, nb, turmeric is staining to hands and worktops etc. enjoy. Gareth uk.
Sue
February 10, 2014 at 7:01 amI will try it with the raw roots, thanks for the inspiration Gareth!
Anna
February 7, 2014 at 10:55 amThat cup is really beautiful. Any chance you would share where you got it and/or who the maker is?
Sue
February 7, 2014 at 11:18 amHey Anna— You know I’m pretty sure I got it at Marshall’s or someplace like that, but I looked it up and found it for sale on Etsy, it’s marked EIT Ltd England…http://www.etsy.com/listing/176348098/vintage-eit-ltd-england-cups
Homemade Turmeric Tea Recipe | Herbs and Oils Hub
February 7, 2014 at 6:16 am[…] Homemade Turmeric Tea Recipe […]
Joanne
February 6, 2014 at 5:11 amWhenever I start to feel any aches and pains from running, I up the turmeric in our diet and it’s amazing how much better I feel and so quickly! Definitely going to keep this turmeric tea in mind for that also!!
maria
February 6, 2014 at 1:24 amOhhh my Indian flatmate makes me something similar every time I’m ill! thank you! I’ve really enjoyed your blog posts and recipes – If you have time I’d love for you to check out my blog, http://www.happybelly.org.uk. Thanks!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
February 5, 2014 at 6:29 pmI love turmeric, this tea looks so soothing and aromatic!
sippitysup
February 5, 2014 at 6:21 pmI’ve never seen fresh turmeric and I’m having an “ewwwww” moment. That is what that root is? Right? Just for the record. I’ll still eat it… GREG
Liz
February 5, 2014 at 3:46 pmI have been making a turmeric tea for a bit over 4 weeks now, after seeing Heidi Swanson’s recipe earlier. I gave turmeric and cauliflower to my dog when he was diagnosed with a prostate originating cancer: turmeric and cauliflower is reputed to help the prostate in humans.
My tea – no milk:
Put mint leaves and ground pepper in a mug (you need black pepper and some fat for the turmeric to be bioavailable to the body).
While the water is getting hot make a paste of a spoonful of honey, 1/4 tsp turmeric, 1/4 tsp cayenne
Pour hot water over the mint to 1/2 the cup level.
Add the honey-spice paste and let dissolve (NOT boiling water with raw honey)
Add the juice of one lemon.
Hot water to fill the cup.
It is warming but the heat from 1/4 tsp cayenne is not sweat inducing…somehow tempered by the other ingredients.
I typically eat a spoonful of peanut butter for my fat before I drink it.
Long story to say that after 4 weeks, some joint pain that was plaguing me is gone (turmeric). Also, some rapid heartbeats at bedtime – gone (cayenne)
I haven’t tried the milk version although I know that is a typical Indian remedy. I envy you finding the root! My local told me they can get it but very spendy so I’ve been using a powder.
Sue
February 5, 2014 at 6:07 pmWow, great testimonial Liz! I’ll give the non-milk version a try for sure.
cheri
February 5, 2014 at 1:50 pmHi Sue,
In your second pic is the orange-ish looking root turmeric? Also love your illustrations. Nice Work!
Sue
February 5, 2014 at 3:49 pmYes, that’s the turmeric next to ginger…it’s the most beautiful color when you cut into it!
Carolyn
February 5, 2014 at 12:20 pmI am totally going to make this! It sounds delish and I am chilly and worn out right now.