Turmeric milk? Golden milk? Haldi doodh? What?! Stay with me. Hot turmeric milk may not sound as rich as hot chocolate milk, but you might be surprised. Furthermore, it’s a whole lot better for you and definitely something you need to try. Why? Because turmeric golden milk offers all the health benefits of the whole turmeric curcumin complex in a tasty, convenient, storable beverage you can enjoy any time, day or night. This article will bring you up to speed on what is turmeric milk and how to make it. Enjoy.
What is Turmeric Golden Milk
Depending on whom you ask, turmeric milk, golden milk, or its Indian name, haldi doodh, seem to mean different things. At its very essence turmeric milk is simply turmeric-infused milk, warmed and spiced to taste. Now, if that sounds unappealing, do not despair, for there is a multitude of methods available for preparing this golden concoction of goodness, and surely at least one will tantalize your taste buds.
Turmeric golden milk, also known as turmeric golden mylk by those who avoid dairy, can be enjoyed straight-up or combined with an infinite array of smoothies, teas, and other recipes. Herewith we present a tableau of tips on turmeric milk, turmeric golden milk or whatever you prefer to call this wholesome golden nectar. Haldi doodh to Y’all!
How to Make Turmeric Golden Milk
There are basically three ways to make turmeric milk, each of which is relatively easy assuming the proper ingredients are at hand. And, as you shall see, that is not a tall order because if you possess some turmeric, black pepper and any variety of animal or vegetable milk, you’re good to go. If you enjoy a touch of sweetness with your beverage, consider adding stevia or a dab of raw organic honey…mmm…instead of refined sugar. (Sugar – baaaad. High fructose corn syrup – even worse!)
On-Demand Method
The first method is the on-demand make-it-now method. It’s basically a mixture of four primary ingredients: turmeric powder, black peppercorns (or ground if you prefer), water, and milk. Be adventurous and try adding any other spice you care or dare to experiment with. Any type of “milk” will suffice including coconut milk, rice milk, almond milk, goat milk or cow milk – you make the call. (Due to its estrogen-mimicking effects, we would refrain from using soy milk, especially if you are a man.) Simply combine the ingredients in proportions sufficient to achieve the taste and consistency you prefer, simmer on low heat for five to ten minutes and enjoy. More details below.
Mix-Ahead Method
The second method involves the preparation of a handy-dandy mix of shelf-stable powder to be combined with water and milk at the time of preparation – kind of like having a tin of Macha green tea powder in the fridge. The mix includes turmeric powder, black peppercorns (or ground if you prefer), and any other spice you care or dare to include. Just stir a few teaspoons of this dry mix into a saucepan of simmering milk and water and let it infuse for five minutes. Nearly instant gratification! By the way, as noted in the Turmeric Guru About Page, distilled or purified water is always recommended for cooking and drinking.
A typical serving of either method would include a teaspoon of turmeric powder combined with pinches of black pepper, fresh grated or dried ginger, and cinnamon according to taste. Of course, other spices can be added as well. Mix a batch using roughly these proportions, refrigerate for future use, and break it out whenever the mood strikes. Let your imagination run wild with variations on this theme until you discover a handful of recipes that are just right for you.
Golden Paste Method
The third method involves making turmeric milk from turmeric golden paste. Turmeric paste, or golden paste, is a damp mixture of storable turmeric goodness commonly added to curries, sauces, soups and just about any recipe one can imagine. Golden paste is essentially the dry mix with the addition of a natural oil. See the Turmeric Guru’s article on Turmeric Golden Paste for more details.
A typical golden paste mixture includes turmeric powder, black pepper, ginger, water and any healthful natural oil like coconut oil. Just heat the ingredients in a saucepan, allow them to cool, and keep in the fridge for up to several weeks. When you’re ready to enjoy a piping hot cup of golden milk just add a teaspoon of this tantalizing tonic to a saucepan of simmering milk, plus some water if preferred, allow it to infuse for a few minutes and enjoy.
Turmeric Golden Milk Recipe
Here’s a simple recipe for turmeric golden milk. You’ll need a teaspoon of turmeric golden paste, 2 cups of any kind of milk, a half cup of water and a tablespoon of honey. Heat all ingredients except the honey on a stove while mixing with a spoon until the temperature allows the desired consistency. Try not to boil, simmer on low heat for a few minutes, and that’s it. Allow to cool and enjoy.
Add a dab of honey, a drop of vanilla or a pinch of cinnamon to spice things up even more! You can drink it hot or cold, so if you don’t like warm milk you can put it in the fridge to cool where it can be stored for the same length of time you would normally store the milk.
Alternatively, if you want to step it up a notch and steep your ingredients from scratch, here’s a gourmet’s recipe for a single serving of turmeric golden milk:
- one cup milk
- one 3-inch cinnamon stick
- one 1-inch turmeric rhizome washed but unpeeled, thinly sliced, OR 1/2 teaspoon dried turmeric powder
- one 1/2-inch ginger rhizome washed but unpeeled, thinly sliced
- one teaspoon honey
- one tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns
Whisk coconut milk, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, honey, coconut oil and a cup of water in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a low boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain through a sieve and serve. And lastly, here’s an authentic turmeric golden milk recipe from India demonstrated in the following video:
Benefits of Turmeric Golden Milk
There are many reasons to incorporate turmeric milk into your daily routine. Here are a few:
First and foremost, turmeric is just plain good for you. There are so many healthful properties associated with turmeric that you may want to just focus on the fact that it’s an all-purpose elixir and leave it at that. But more specifically, it’s an immune system booster, digestive system facilitator, and overall disease preventer.
Once you incorporate turmeric into your daily routine you’ll probably notice fewer colds and other annoying infections, a lessening of inflammation throughout the body, a reduction in joint and muscle pain, and clearer more radiant skin. In addition, turmeric assists the body’s natural detoxification processes.
As you may read about in our article on the health benefits of turmeric, the whole spice and its curcuminoid complex work in concert toward an amazing range of healthful ends. Just a few examples include the lowering of blood pressure, prevention of Alzheimer’s and promotion of free radical scavenging that provides a range of anti-inflammation and anti-aging benefits.
Sound too amazing to be true? I know, it seems incredible. But if you are so inclined, the Turmeric Guru recommends that you consult the most excellent and exhaustive library of medical research ever compiled on the benefits of turmeric at the GreenMedinfo web site.
A Subtle Detox in Support of EMF Hypersensitivity Prevention
If you live in a densely populated urban area you are especially subject to invasive toxins from polluted air and water, as well as the ever-present effect of radiation from smartphones, cell towers, WiFi, cordless landline phones and everything else that emits electromagnetic fields (EMF).
In case you aren’t aware, if you live in a typical urban environment, or even if your country home is outfitted with these devices, you are swimming in a sewer of this non-ionizing but harmful radiation day and night. Turmeric will help your body eliminate toxins that contribute to EMF hypersensitivity, and turmeric golden milk is a tasty and convenient way to amp up the cleansing process.
Bottom line: since turmeric is simple to procure and easy on the wallet there’s really no valid reason to not be involved. So make turmeric milk a part of your daily diet today.
Summary – Turmeric Golden Milk
Drinking turmeric milk, golden milk or haldi doodh is a tasty alternative method of gaining all the healthful properties of whole turmeric. It’s easy to make and there is a variety of ways to do it – have it your way. Once you have the basic recipe down, you can experiment with other spices like cinnamon or clove, and ingredients like honey or coconut oil, to make it your own.
And talk about convenience, you can whip up enough dry mix or golden paste to store in the pantry or fridge for later enjoyment – hot or cold. It’s up to you, as the health benefits of either preparation are the same. This is not an adult beverage, by the way, so share it with the kids! If you’re ready to purchase some turmeric powder and get started, please see the Turmeric Guru’s summary of top turmeric powders on our home page under the Powders tab.