By Jeanne Tennis

Traditional Golden Tea, as it is known, does not contain actual tea. A staple in India and enjoyed throughout the world for its antioxidant and relaxing benefits, this warmed beverage is bursting with anti-inflammatory turmeric.

Turmeric Golden Tea

Customize it using your milk, spices and sweetener of choice.

Easily doubled or tripled.

Prep time: 10-15 minutes

Serving size: 1 serving

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of milk or milk beverage of choice *
  • ¼ teaspoon of dried turmeric
  • A pinch of black pepper
  • ½ -1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
  • ½ teaspoon of nutmeg, ground ginger or cloves (optional)
  • 1-2 teaspoon of maple syrup, brown rice syrup or honey (optional)

Directions

  1. In a small saucepan combine all ingredients (except raw honey: If using raw honey as a sweetener, add just before serving to retain health benefits. Never serve raw honey to an infant or child younger than 2 years old.)
  2. Heat spiced milk on low until warmed through.
  3. Whisk occasionally while heating.
  4. Pour into a mug and enjoy warm.

*Dairy milk is mucus-forming and inflammatory, therefore, non-dairy milk beverages are recommended.

Choose one that you enjoy that is rich in both texture and flavor, such as, oat milk, coconut milk, soy milk, pea protein or almond milk.

Follow your own intuition and taste buds.

Vary the beverages and spices you use.

This beverage is caffeine-free and is lovely at the end of the day.

Recipe courtesy of The Key to Balance.

Chef Jeanne Tennis, a vegan chef and certified macrobiotic health coach who operates The Key to Balance in Farmington, is teaching four-week cooking classes on anti-inflammatory diet at Hartford HealthCare’s Bone & Joint Institute. The next series starts July 3, with classes 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.