How to Make Golden Milk and Turmeric Tea: The Recipes, Step by Step

By Suhail Rivera, founder of Alkaline Herb Shop

There are two easy ways to use ground turmeric in a drink. Golden milk is the warm, spiced turmeric latte made with plant milk, and turmeric tea is the quick version made straight in a cup of hot water. Both start from the same golden powder, cúrcuma in Spanish, ground from the root of Curcuma longa. This guide gives you both recipes, plus what to add and how to keep turmeric from staining everything it touches.

How to make golden milk

Golden milk, sometimes called a turmeric latte, is the one most people are after. It is gently warmed, never boiled.

1. Gently warm 1 cup of plant milk in a small pan.
2. Whisk in about half a teaspoon of turmeric powder, a small pinch of black pepper, and a little ground cinnamon.
3. Sweeten to taste with maple syrup, agave or coconut sugar.
4. Keep it over low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, whisking, without letting it boil.
5. Pour and drink warm. A whisk or a frother gives it that smooth, latte texture.

A spoon of our dried ginger stirred in warms it up further, if you like a golden milk with a bit of heat.

How to make turmeric tea

For a quicker cup without the milk, make turmeric tea straight in hot water.

1. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of turmeric powder to 4 ounces of boiling water.
2. Stir well, because the powder wants to settle rather than dissolve.
3. Cover and steep 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Stir again and drink. A squeeze of lemon and a little sweetener round it out.

Because turmeric is a powder rather than a leaf, keep stirring as you drink so it does not settle at the bottom.

What does turmeric taste like?

Warm and earthy, with a faint bitterness and a peppery edge. It is the same flavour that gives curry its backbone, softened here into a drink. The plant milk and a little sweetener round off the bitterness, which is why golden milk is the easiest way in for most people.

A word on staining

Turmeric is a powerful natural dye, which is part of why the colour is so beautiful in the cup. It also means it will stain a wooden spoon, a light countertop or a favourite shirt if you are not careful. Wipe up spills quickly, and use a spoon you do not mind turning a little gold.

Does turmeric tea have caffeine?

No. Turmeric is naturally caffeine free, so golden milk is a classic evening drink.

What is turmeric, or cúrcuma?

Turmeric is the ground root of Curcuma longa, a leafy plant in the ginger family grown across India and Southeast Asia. In Spanish it is cúrcuma. Ours is organic or wildcrafted turmeric from India, milled to a bright golden powder with nothing added. We make no health claims for it. Use it because it makes one of the most comforting and best looking drinks you can make at home.

Who should not use turmeric

• If you are pregnant or nursing, speak to your doctor before using it regularly.
• It is not recommended for anyone under 18.
• If you have a medical condition or take prescription medicine, speak to your doctor first.

How to store ground turmeric

Keep the bag sealed and away from light and heat to keep the colour bright and the aroma fresh. Stored dry and closed, ground turmeric keeps its flavour for a couple of years.

Where to get it

Our turmeric root powder is organic or wildcrafted, milled from Indian roots, with no fillers and nothing added, ready for golden milk, tea or the kitchen.

Suhail Rivera is the founder of Alkaline Herb Shop, which sources and sells the ground turmeric described in this article.