When listing ideal add-ins for a cup of coffee, a variety of spices probably come to mind. After all, putting a sprinkle of cinnamon, a bit of ground ginger, or even a little cardamom into a coffee drink isn’t uncommon.
However, there’s one spice you probably aren’t thinking of and definitely should: turmeric. Yes, combining this spice with our favorite beverage makes a darn good latte!
According to The Guardian, turmeric lattes were 2016’s drink of choice, causing a 56 percent increase in Google searches for “turmeric” from November 2015 to January 2016.
Since then, the beverage — you might also see it called a golden milk latte, golden milk, turmeric milk, or a golden latte because of the ground spice’s distinct hue — has continued rising in popularity.
But what is turmeric? How do you use it to make a latte, and why would you want to? Keep reading; we’ve got answers to those questions and more, plus a simple recipe for you to try below!
LET’S TALK ABOUT TURMERIC
We’ll get to the homemade turmeric latte and the simple ingredients needed to make it soon enough. But before we discuss our recipe, let’s address a common query: what is turmeric?
Tall turmeric plants, also called Indian saffron, grow in parts of Asia and Central America. Because of the biological properties of its active ingredient, curcumin, turmeric is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of health conditions.
Turmeric has health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties, pain relief, improved digestion, reduced risk of cancer, and more. You can take it in powder form by blending it into a warm drink (like the golden milk recipe you’ll find below) or take it in capsule or fluid form.
If turmeric’s numerous benefits aren’t good enough reason for you to try it, maybe its versatility in the kitchen will convince you to get your hands on some. Fresh turmeric makes an excellent addition to curries, homemade salad dressings, marinades, and meat rubs, in addition to a delicious latte.
Roasty’s Turmeric Latte Recipe
@roastycoffee The golden latte #turmericlatte #coffeetok #coffeetime #goldencoffee #goldenlatte ♬ Vegas (From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ELVIS) – Doja Cat
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YOU’LL NEED:
- 2 tablespoons of strong brewed coffee
- 2 teaspoons of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/3 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon of turmeric
- 1 1/2 cups of your milk of choice
- A saucepan
THE RECIPE:
Step 1:
Kick things off by pouring milk, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla extract, and turmeric into a saucepan. Let the blend of milk and spices sit on medium heat for about three minutes, making sure to whisk or stir occasionally.
Our recipe calls for whole milk, but if dairy isn’t your friend, you can use your favorite plant- or nut-based milk substitute instead. Oat milk and almond milk are popular choices, but coconut milk hits the spot as well!
Concerning the combination of spices and sweeteners, fresh ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric are always best, but pre-ground works, too. If you aren’t crazy about adding sugar, drizzle in a healthier liquid sweetener, such as maple syrup or honey.
Step 2:
Take the blend of milk, spice, and sweetener off the heat and froth it all until it’s foamy. The easiest way to complete this step is with an electric milk frother. If you don’t have one on hand, use a blender or hand mixer or pour the mixture into a lidded glass jar and shake.
Once you’ve got your frothy milk, use a spoon to shovel the top layer of foam into a small bowl or cup. Set that aside for now, but don’t forget about it; you’ll need it later!
Step 3:
Now is the time to add what’s arguably the best ingredient: coffee! Use whatever brand and roast level of beans you prefer. The brewing method you choose doesn’t matter as long as you end up with rich, delicious joe!
Step 4:
Top this cozy drink with the milk foam you saved from step two and a pinch of ground turmeric. For extra spice, use some additional ground cinnamon as a garnish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drink turmeric lattes every day?
Turmeric is a wonderful spice, but as with anything, too much — in this case, more than 12 grams per day — can be detrimental.
One of the benefits of turmeric lattes is stomach and digestive issue relief. However, too many of them can be counterproductive, as consuming large amounts of turmeric can lead to diarrhea or stomach cramps.
Fortunately, most recipes for this yummy drink call for far less than the daily recommended amount of turmeric. So, having one every morning isn’t likely to have negative consequences.
However, if you’re still uncertain, consult your doctor before adding this spicy beverage to your regular diet.
Are turmeric lattes good for weight loss?
The turmeric drink alone won’t make the pounds drop off your body — it’s a bummer, we know. However, if you combine this cozy latte with a nutritious diet and regular exercise, it does more good than harm during your weight loss journey.
With that said, it’s hard to say how significant this amazing spice is for weight loss. After studying the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin from turmeric, researchers concluded it can limit weight gain.
However, animals were the subjects of most of these studies, so the jury’s still out on whether curcumin consumption yields the same effects for humans.
All that to say, the turmeric latte benefits your weight loss endeavors, but you shouldn’t expect this mildly aromatic spice to be a miracle pound shedder on its own.
Who shouldn’t take turmeric?
It’s crucial to consult with your doctor before adding a new supplement — turmeric, for instance — to your routine.
Sure, turmeric has some beneficial health properties, but the cons outweigh the pros for some. According to MedicineNet, people with the following conditions would be better off staying away from this bright-hued spice:
- Gallbladder issues
- Diabetes
- Bleeding disorders
- Pregnancy
- Hormone-sensitive conditions (breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, etc.)
- Infertility (males)
- Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD)
What does a golden latte taste like?
Several factors influence your creamy turmeric latte’s taste — whole versus plant-based milk*, the blend of spices you add to the mix, and its level of sweetness.
Take our recipe, for example. We only used cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric, but other people give their drink a slightly more intense spice kick with a pinch of ground black pepper. We also used cow milk, but other milk alternatives give the golden latte a different taste and texture.
Regardless of your choice of milk and the amount of spice in your cup, expect this beverage to boast an earthy flavor profile, a jolt of peppery spice, and slight sweetness.
*The kind of plant-based milk you use also contributes to your beverage’s flavor. For example, a cashew milk-based golden latte doesn’t taste quite like one made with unsweetened almond milk.
What can I add to turmeric milk?
One good thing about our golden milk recipe is that it leaves room for experimentation, and much like the standard latte, the turmeric latte can be made in many ways.
Aside from the basic ingredients we listed above, you can stir in additional warming spices (fresh ground cardamom or cloves, for example) or a pinch of ground pepper. You can even play around with sweeter spices like nutmeg.
Sweeteners are yet another opportunity for customization. We used sugar, but you can try other options, too, like raw honey or agave syrup.
Does a turmeric latte have coffee?
While our recipe contains coffee (of course, it does — coffee’s in our site name, for crying out loud), you can make golden hot milk without it. Some people monitoring their caffeine intake drink it as a warm, cozy alternative to coffee.
Take Time for Turmeric
Golden milk, turmeric latte, golden latte — whatever you want to call it, we think this drink is worth trying when you want to veer away from your typical cup of coffee, so give it a try and let us know what you think of this delicious beverage!
Happy Caffeinating!
Earthy And Sweet Turmeric Latte
This light, spiced latte is delicious, sweet, and surprisingly healthy! A true golden latte to bring an earthy taste to your daily coffee.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons strong brewed coffee
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ginger
- ⅓ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 ½ cups of 2% milk
Instructions
- Combine sugar, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and milk in a pot. Place on the stovetop at medium heat for about 3 minutes. Whisking occasionally.
- Remove the pot from heat. Use a frothing method (blender, hand frother, shaking a mason jar) on the milk mixture until you get a bubbly and foamy texture.
- Pour coffee into a mug and add in frothed milk mixture on top. Use a spoon to strain and place the foamy layer on top of the mug.
- Sprinkle with turmeric and enjoy!
