Magic Turmeric Tea
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Stay healthy through the winter with this golden turmeric tea. It's full of good for you ingredients, it tastes great, and it's easy to make in just 5 minutes!
Drinks with turmeric are a great way to get your daily dose. Try our coconut turmeric latte or winter detox orange ginger turmeric smoothie!
This turmeric tea is our go-to during the winter season for staying healthy or helping us recover quickly if we succumb to a cold or flu. It's a potent drink with lots of flavor, a vibrant yellow color, and ample health benefits. We like to think of it as a healing treat!
Beyond colds and flu, inflammation is becoming more widely recognized as the underlying cause of all sorts of conditions from headaches, migraines, diabetes, arthritis, heart diseases, autoimmune conditions, and more.
What we consume in the form of food and drinks has a big impact on our overall health, and we like to think of our ākitchen pharmacy' as our first line of defense when it comes to staying healthy. That's why we pack in as many healing ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties to this turmeric tea as we can.
Enjoy it in the morning to kick start your day (and your immune system!), or anytime when you need a warm boost. It's a wonderful drink to sip on before bedtime too, just be sure to use decaffeinated green tea or omit it completely.
It's really simple to make and you can prepare it right in your mug. Just steep all the ingredients in nearly boiling water and then sip away! If you like it a bit frothy, add the ingredients to your blender and give it a whiz.
Make it once and you'll see this turmeric tea is a wonderful daily ritual for the winter months that does your body good and tastes great, too!
Why this tea is pure magic
This turmeric ginger tea is soothing and is guaranteed to make you feel good! Here's some theory on why the ingredients work:
- Turmeric: the health benefits of turmeric are many! It's the ultimate superfood with powerful anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. It's also a serious antiviral which is a great thing for our immune systems.
- Green tea: similar to turmeric, green tea is rich in antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, strengthening our immune systems and protecting our cells from free radical damage.
- Ginger: another strong anti-inflammatory that will help give your immune system a boost. Want to hear an interesting fact? Ginger contains compounds that can target and kill rhinoviruses (aka the common cold).
- Garlic: the active ingredient in garlic is called allicin, which has been shown to be effective in fighting bacterial and viral infections.
- Black pepper: black pepper increases the absorption of turmeric by up to 2000%. But it doesn't stop there. Just like all the other superfoods in this turmeric tea, black pepper also has antiviral, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties.
- Lemon juice: lemon juice has a protective effect on the liver, helping to kick-start it and flush out toxins. It also tastes great and works really well with the other ingredients in this tea, plus it adds a bit of vitamin C.
Everything you need to know about turmeric
Turmeric (curcuma longa) is a spice and medicinal herb that's been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of conditions from inflammation to infections and more. Curcumin is the main active compound in turmeric and what's found in turmeric supplements.
You can find turmeric in the produce section of most grocery stores, usually by the ginger. Like ginger, it's a root and they appear very similar and can be used in the same way.
If it's organic, you don't need to peel it. Grate it with a microplane and use it in smoothies and curries. Slice it thin and boil it in water to make tea. If you can't find fresh turmeric, you can usually substitute ground turmeric but it will have a slightly different taste.
Did you know you can freeze fresh turmeric? Simply clean it, cut it into cubes, wrap it in a paper towel, and place it in a freezer bag. It will keep for up to 6 months!
Turmeric tea ingredients
Here's what you need to make this turmeric tea recipe:
- Fresh lemon juice ā fresh is definitely best here.
- Fresh ginger + turmeric ā ginger has so many benefits when it comes to fighting colds and flu, plus it tastes great and adds a spicy kick. Fresh turmeric root is the star ingredient, adding its golden hue and its many benefits!
- Black pepper ā while black pepper might seem like an odd ingredient to include in tea, a compound in it actually makes turmeric more bio-available. Be sure it's freshly cracked, and don't skip it!
- Garlic ā similar to ginger and turmeric, garlic has antiviral and antimicrobial properties that help fight and relieve colds and flu.
- Green tea ā green tea is high in antioxidants and with a small amount of caffeine, you'll get a boost without the buzz. Opt for decaf green tea for kids, near bedtime, or if you want to rest.
- Honey ā any variety of honey will work but we try to use a higher quality honey for this recipe. Unpasteurized raw honey is full of vitamins and minerals, as is royal jelly if it's available to you.
How to make turmeric tea
Ginger turmeric tea is the ultimate healthy way to start your day. You can make it right in your mug or give it a whiz in the blender. Here's how we make it (both ways) in a few simple steps:
- To make it in a mug, place all the ingredients in a mug and fill it with nearly boiling water. Let it steep for 2-3 minutes and then remove the green tea bag and sip away!
- To make it in the blender, place a mug of water in a small pot, add all ingredients and bring it almost to a boil. Remove it from the heat and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Remove the green tea bag, pour the tea into your blender, and blend until frothy and smooth.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use turmeric powder instead of fresh turmeric?
Yes, you can. It will have a slightly different taste but powdered turmeric will still give you all the health benefits.
Can I use ground ginger instead of fresh ginger?
Fresh ginger is best, but in a pinch, yes you can. Ginger undergoes some changes during the drying and bottling process but it still offers up some benefits.
Can I prepare it ahead of time?
It's best to make all teas fresh. That said, you can easily grate fresh ginger and turmeric in a larger quantity ahead of time and freeze it so it's ready when you want to make it. Or make a bigger batch in the morning to sip on all day long.
Is it okay to drink turmeric tea at night?
Definitely! Drinking turmeric tea in the evening is calming and comforting. Just be sure to use decaffeinated green tea or omit it completely.
Does turmeric stain?
The bold deep yellow pigment of turmeric can stain surfaces like cutting boards, counters, your blender, clothes, and even your fingers. In most cases, it can be cleaned away with a mixture of water and vinegar or lemon juice.
Should I add coconut oil or coconut milk?
Yes, you can and the fat from the coconut oil or coconut milk can increase bioavailability. Add a teaspoon of coconut oil or a few tablespoons of coconut milk to the tea when it's finished steeping or before you blend it.
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Magic Turmeric Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 1 Ā½ teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh turmeric (or sub powdered)
- Ā¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 small garlic clove (grated with a Microplane)
- 1 bag of green tea
- Optional: 1 teaspoon honey (we often use Royal Jelly)
Instructions
Option #1: Mug
- Place all the ingredients into a mug and fill with nearly boiling water. Let the tea steep for 2-3 minutes then remove the bag and sip away. Tip: leave a spoon in the mug and give it a stir before each sip to mix up the spices.Juice from 1 lemon, 1 Ā½ teaspoons grated fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon grated fresh turmeric, Ā¼ teaspoon black pepper, 1 small garlic clove, 1 bag of green tea, Optional: 1 teaspoon honey
Option #2: Blender
- Place a mug of water into a small pot, add all the ingredients and bring almost to a boil. Remove from the heat and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Remove the tea bag then pour the tea into your high-powered blender. Blend on high until frothy and smooth. (See notes.)Juice from 1 lemon, 1 Ā½ teaspoons grated fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon grated fresh turmeric, Ā¼ teaspoon black pepper, 1 small garlic clove, 1 bag of green tea, Optional: 1 teaspoon honey
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our drink recipes!
