Tea

Turmeric Ginger Tea

admin October 5, 2021October 5, 2021

Turmeric Ginger Tea

A hot cuppa ginger turmeric tea is wonderful any time of year. But it can be especially soothing and delicious during the winter months when the heart, and the tummy, longs for all things cozy.

There is so much to love about this tea. It is truly a comforting drink that will wrap you with warmth from the inside out. The pleasant bitterness of the turmeric is balanced out by the spicy ginger, sweet cardamom and sassy cinnamon. Green tea stirs in more healthfulness and antioxidants.

In India, you’d drink a tea like this — a haldi adrak ki chai — if you had the sniffles. But it can also be a cleansing, detoxing drink, especially if you have…ahem…been indulging in those end of year holiday excesses.

Treat yourself to a cup this morning — or anytime. I just made some and I can’t wait to go get it into my tummy!

Ingredients

Turmeric: There are numerous studies now that show turmeric–or the compound, curcumin, that’s in it — is a miracle antioxidant with unparalleled healing qualities. This golden spice has been a staple in Indian kitchens not so much for its flavor–because turmeric with its earthy bitterness doesn’t really have much to offer in terms of making food taste better–but because a pinch of this golden spice in your food can protect you from all kinds of ailments, big and small. Turmeric can also be beneficial when used topically. When we cut ourselves playing as children, mom was more likely to run for the turmeric in her spice box than a tube of antibiotic. The turmeric would not just ensure that the wound didn’t get infected, it would also keep the scars away. (Read more about the benefits and cooking with turmeric)
Ginger: Like turmeric, ginger is a proven miracle herb with tremendous benefits to the digestive and respiratory systems. It even has cancer-fighting properties. AND. It is known to fight cancer and diabetes. Ginger is also an amazing flavoring agent and one that, to my mind, can make nearly any food taste better.
Cinnamon: Another flavorful and amazing spice with respiratory, digestive, cancer-fighting and heart-healthy properties. We have a theme going here, see?
Cardamom: Okay, I will admit I added in the cardamom, which is considered a cooling spice, mainly for the exquisite sweetness and delicate fragrance that makes nearly anything fit to consume. Cardamom, too, is a wonder spice, however, with respiratory, digestive, anti-cancer and anti-diabetes benefits.
Black pepper: Piperine, the active compound in these tiny black globes, helps unlock the tremendous benefits of curcumin in turmeric, so it’s good to add a tiny bit in here. The black pepper also adds a nice kick. Use very little unless you want your tea to be really spicy. Oh, and did I say black pepper is also, by itself, great for you?
Green tea: Here’s an ingredient that needs almost no introduction. We all know green tea is packed with antioxidants and is a great detoxicant with possible weight loss benefits. And it tastes amazing with the spices and herbs in this tea.
Sweetener: This is mainly for flavor. Use any of your choice. I use maple syrup but turbinado sugar, any unrefined sugar like jaggery, or sweeteners like stevia are fine too.
Lemons or limes: Lemon or lime juice is a natural diuretic. It has tons of vitamin C. It also adds great flavor.

Ingredients

4 cups water (preferably filtered)
2 tsp fresh turmeric root (grated. If using ground turmeric, use ½ to 1 tsp. Start out with less and add more if the bitterness doesn’t bother you).
2 tsp ginger root (grated. If using powdered ginger, which can be very strong, use no more than ¼ to ½ tsp).
2 inches cinnamon bark
4 green cardamom pods
4-5 tsp black peppercorns
4 green tea bags
2 tbsp maple syrup (use more or less, per your taste)
2 lemons (or limes, sliced)

Instructions

Place the cinnamon, cardamom and peppercorns in a mortar and pestle and crush coarsely until the cinnamon is broken into smaller bits (but not powdered) and the cardamom pods have split with the black seeds inside exposed and slightly crushed.
Place the crushed spices in a saucepan along with the water, turmeric and ginger. Bring to a boil, stir in the maple syrup or sugar, and turn off. Cover and let the spices and herbs steep in the water five minutes. If using stevia, just add it to the cup.
Strain the tea into cups. Pop a green tea bag and throw a couple of slices of lime or lemon into each cup.
Drink hot. Or chill and serve over ice.

Nutrition