Golden Turmeric Milk Tea (Single Serve)
If you know me, you know I love tea in the afternoon (or any time of day really). It’s cozy, it’s comforting, and in the cold months especially, it’ll warm you right up. My go-to tea is a London Fog, made with Earl Grey tea, a splash of milk, a touch of vanilla simple syrup (though I rarely add sugar to mine at home), and topped with milky foam. I also love herbal tea, especially in the evenings. Give me some camomille, echinacea, ginger, or even a spiced tea, and I’m full-time cozy.
Since we’re officially in the middle of winter, I wanted to try making a single-serve option of a tea that’s packed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, while offering a lovely spice. I’ve read and listened to so much about the health benefits of ginger, turmeric, and even cinnamon, so this recipe is filled to the brim, and just for you.
Now, to be very clear, I did not invent golden tea – that kudos goes to India – the below is just my twist on the beneficial beverage. The turmeric, which is native to Southeast Asia, is what offers the golden color to this hot drink. By adding black pepper and the fat from the coconut milk you increase the bioavailability of curcumin, which is the core active ingredient in turmeric – aka black pepper and fat with turmeric allows your body to absorb the health benefits of this colorful rhizome.
This tea with its turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and green tea, is packed with nutrients for your gut, heart, and brain while reducing inflammation and aiding your immune system. It’s perfect for the long winter months ahead which, in my opinion, are meant to be enjoyed with a hot mug of something, so why not make it nutritional?
WHAT IS GOLDEN MILK TEA?
Delicious. Yes, I am hilarious. Golden milk originates from India, as turmeric is native to Southeast Asia and is a key spice used across cuisines. Traditionally, it simply combines dairy milk – though non-dairy substitutions are made – and turmeric. There are many variations of golden milk tea, which adds in spices like cinnamon and ginger along with a brew of your favorite black or green tea.
What do you need to activate the health properties of turmeric? Fat and black pepper! Turmeric is absorbed best when taken with a fat (think eggs, oil, coconut) and black pepper, which increases the chance of your body’s absorption of curcumin – one of the main active ingredients in turmeric.
INGREDIENTS
- (sorry, coming soon with a website update – full recipe available at the bottom!)
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HOW TO MAKE GOLDEN MILK TEA
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3 health benefits of golden milk tea
TIPS & VARIATIONS
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MAKING AHEAD & STORING
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MORE X RECIPES
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Equipment
- Whisk
- Mug
- Kettle optional
- Small pot
- Fine Mesh Sieve optional
- Measuring Cup
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- ½ tbsp of green tea leaves 1 sachet
- ½ cup hot water
- 1 cup coconut milk
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger 1 tsp fresh peeled and grated
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp ground cardamom
- Pinch of ground black pepper to activate turmeric’s health benefits
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch cinnamon optional for topping
Instructions
- Boil some water and place your green tea in your mug of choice. Pour half a cup of your boiled water over your tea sachet and let it steep for 3 minutes before straining and squeezing any excess liquid from your leaves into the tea, and throwing the remaining leaves out
- In a small pot, heat your coconut milk over medium heat, whisking gently to prevent it from sticking to the pan
- Once your coconut milk is warm and starting to steam (but not boil!), whisk in your turmeric, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and black pepper until combined. Simmer for 5 minutes to infuse the milk with all those yummy spices
- Add in your brewed green tea, honey, and vanilla, and whisk until the honey has melted
- Pour your golden milk tea into your mug, straining if desired, and sprinkle with cinnamon
- Enjoy!