Raw ginger is carried by most large markets and will keep for a long time if kept cool and dry. Fresh turmeric is more difficult to find but health and Asian markets carry it, moreso in the winter months. Either in its powdered form is a viable second choice.
Honey is a superfood whose benefits for human health are too numerous to list here. With antioxidant and antibacterial properties, it is used in this recipe because it is a healthy sweetener.
A Warm, Delicious Superdrink
Food is all about chemistry: individual ingredients interacting and combining to form different compounds. Given the nutritive factors of turmeric, ginger, coconut oil, honey, and milks, when combined their impacts expand:
When turmeric and ginger are mixed with coconut oil, they become more readily absorbed by the body (one of the important features of healthy saturated fats). Combined with piperine found in black pepper, absorption of the curcumin in turmeric is increased exponentially.
All that being said, here is a recipe for a delicious drink that will warm and nourish your body.
Golden Milk Recipe
Turmeric Paste
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup turmeric powder or 1-inch knob of fresh turmeric, finely grated
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup filtered water
Optional: 1/8 teaspoon powdered ginger or ½-inch piece of fresh ginger, finely grated
Directions:
Cook all ingredients together in a small saucepan on medium heat. Stir well until the mixture thickens—it doesn’t take long. When a paste has formed, removed from heat and allow to cool.
Golden Milk
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk (almond, coconut, or organic cow’s milk)
- 1 teaspoon raw organic coconut oil
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric paste (or more, to taste)
- Honey, to taste (unpasteurized and local, if you can get it)
Directions:
Combine all ingredients except honey in a small saucepan. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly. When completely blended and hot (but not boiling), remove from heat and add honey to taste, stirring until dissolved.
