Stay Healthy with Turmeric
Posted by -N. on Thursday, March 19, 2020 Under: beverages
There are plenty of Pinterest pins on turmeric tea. And now, more than ever with the Coronavirus as a constant threat to public health, it's worth talking about. Particularly because of turmeric's vast healing benefits.
Why Turmeric is So Good for You!
Turmeric and ginger are in the same family, which is why they are so similar when sold side-by-side at the grocery store in their root form. But once you peel away the outer layer from each, you'll find that while ginger is a pale tinge of tan, with that zesty ginger aroma and taste, turmeric is bright orange, ranging from a mild peppery or mustard-like aroma and taste. That's why, when used in the right proportions, it complements signature dishes such as Indian and Caribbean curries as well as Spanish Paella.
Turmeric, like ginger, can be diced, grated, or powdered to use in dishes or in a simple tea made from letting a piece of turmeric or ginger (just a fingertip size would do) into boiling water to steep for 5-20 minutes, and then strain to drink warm or cool. If you don't have fresh turmeric, the powder can be used to achieve the same benefits, but with less potency. You can also use other ingredients for added flavor, like cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, anise, or cloves in the tea. Drinking turmeric and/or combination of such a tea after each meal helps prevent indigestion, soothes the gut, and aids with hormone fluctuations and weight loss. Recommendations are typically anywhere from 3-5 cups of tea per day, but as with anything, you could eventually over-do it with turmeric, and care should be taken to not forget about drinking just plain old water on a regular basis, too. Besides that, some people are more sensitive to turmeric, especially in raw form (as in a supplement) so for the most part, it is best to use it in moderation, and consume cooked.
Here are some further benefits of turmeric:
- Improves liver health
- Eases respiratory ailments
- Heals skin
- Improves thyroid function
- Prevents blood clots
- Lowers bad (LDL) cholesterol levels
Turmeric Teas and Beverages
Currently, my favorite choice of turmeric tea is the kind I buy at Trader Joe's. Each bag is individually sealed and just the right blend of flavor that quickly grew on me since first consuming that I've come to crave it with my breakfasts, or right before bed, no matter the season. Prior to that, I'd experimented with boiling the root to drink, but it wasn't always a convenient to do do with my hectic schedule - nor did I want everything it touched to turn orange! And believe when I tell you it WILL stain, same as saffron. That's why both spices have long been used as coloring pigments to textiles and foods. Fortunately, the remedy for removing orange to your countertop, utensils, or cups is to be quick about cleaning everything off immediately, in a bleach solution. Let sit or soak for 5-10 minutes, and repeat if necessary.
Another indulgence I enjoy is golden milk. As the name implies, the golden color indeed does come by mixing turmeric with milk. But not necessarily dairy! Because I've been maintaining a largely Ayurvedic lifestyle from the way I drink and eat, my body type or "dosha" is "vada" or "air," meaning my body tends to dry out both inside and out, and foods and drinks that are moisture rich are preferred, therefore dairy is something I can safely consume, but not in excess, or else it throws my body off balance. Other variations I enjoy are Trader Joe's Almond Cashew Macadamia Beverage, which imparts a nice flavor but lacks the body of dairy, or even any brand of cashew milk, which does impart a more dairy-like flavor as well as consistency, or coconut milk/creamer. Feel free to use whatever other dairy replacement fits your needs and tastes, as there is no wrong one to use.
Let me know by commenting below if you've got a favorite use for turmeric, whether dish or drink, or feel free to share your dairy substitute too :-)
Currently, my favorite choice of turmeric tea is the kind I buy at Trader Joe's. Each bag is individually sealed and just the right blend of flavor that quickly grew on me since first consuming that I've come to crave it with my breakfasts, or right before bed, no matter the season. Prior to that, I'd experimented with boiling the root to drink, but it wasn't always a convenient to do do with my hectic schedule - nor did I want everything it touched to turn orange! And believe when I tell you it WILL stain, same as saffron. That's why both spices have long been used as coloring pigments to textiles and foods. Fortunately, the remedy for removing orange to your countertop, utensils, or cups is to be quick about cleaning everything off immediately, in a bleach solution. Let sit or soak for 5-10 minutes, and repeat if necessary.
Another indulgence I enjoy is golden milk. As the name implies, the golden color indeed does come by mixing turmeric with milk. But not necessarily dairy! Because I've been maintaining a largely Ayurvedic lifestyle from the way I drink and eat, my body type or "dosha" is "vada" or "air," meaning my body tends to dry out both inside and out, and foods and drinks that are moisture rich are preferred, therefore dairy is something I can safely consume, but not in excess, or else it throws my body off balance. Other variations I enjoy are Trader Joe's Almond Cashew Macadamia Beverage, which imparts a nice flavor but lacks the body of dairy, or even any brand of cashew milk, which does impart a more dairy-like flavor as well as consistency, or coconut milk/creamer. Feel free to use whatever other dairy replacement fits your needs and tastes, as there is no wrong one to use.
Let me know by commenting below if you've got a favorite use for turmeric, whether dish or drink, or feel free to share your dairy substitute too :-)
In : beverages
Tags: turmeric golden milk turmeric tea health beverages
