Haldi—or turmeric, as we know it—has been used as a beneficial herb for thousands of years. Ayurvedic practitioners consider turmeric to be important for overall good health and have traditionally used it to support joint mobility, digestion, and circulation, among other bodily processes.* Haldi doodh (haldi=turmeric and doodh=milk), sometimes referred to as “golden milk,” is a sippable turmeric infusion that offers an exceptional and traditional way to enjoy the benefits of turmeric—but the spice blend used in this beverage can be enjoyed in countless other ways as well!
Traditionally, haldi doodh is simply milk simmered with some turmeric and an optional sweetener like honey or sugar. One of the challenges of harnessing the benefits of turmeric is that curcumin—a component renowned for its antioxidant properties—is not particularly water-soluble and is slowly absorbed. The answer to this dilemma? Many families also add black pepper. This combination of fat, black pepper, and heat increases the bioavailability of the curcumin in the turmeric. Studies have shown that taking turmeric with piperine, the major component of black pepper, can increase the bioavailability of the curcumin by as much as 2000%! Note here that the same principle applies to Indian curries, in which turmeric, ghee, and pepper play key roles.
Similarly, researchers found that simmering the haldi doodh can increase the solubility of curcumin twelvefold. And, because turmeric is fat-soluble, the milk fat acts as a perfect medium to help our bodies better absorb the curcumin. If you are nondairy, unsweetened coconut milk, soy milk, and nut milks are good alternatives (based on fat content, almond, cashew, hazelnut, and macadamia are top choices in nut milks).
Perhaps you’ve had the chance to try a “golden milk latte” at the local coffee stand: a hot, yellow, foamy confection of a drink made with chai spices, dairy or non-dairy milk, just enough turmeric to color the drink, and generally a fair amount of sugar. This western coffee-shop facelift is a far cry from traditional haldi doodh and lacks most of the healthful benefits that make the drink a favorite in Ayurvedic medicine. But the latte crowd is onto something with the addition of those delicious spices. Adding ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom makes good sense, since they have notable antioxidant properties of their own, and they significantly boost the delicious flavor of warm golden milk. Best of all, a spiced golden milk powder blend can also double as a seasoning or flavor enhancer to an incredible range of other sweet and savory recipes as well (check out some ideas below).
Makes about 1/4 cup powder.
Ingredients
Directions
Makes 1 cup.
Ingredients
Directions
Pro Tips
You may also enjoy:
* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only.
Topics: Recipes, Tea & Herbal Drinks
Heidi is an award winning freelance writer with a passion for urban homesteading. She has been honored to receive a number of literary prizes including the esteemed Pushcart Prize and an Individual Artists Award in Creative Writing from the Oregon Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. She is proud to have earned a certificate of completion for the Herbal Medicine Making Course at the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine. When she isn’t working in the garden, cleaning the henhouse, preserving food, crafting herbal formulations, or writing and editing content for really fantastic small businesses, you’ll likely find her with her nose in a book.
Haldi—or turmeric, as we know it—has been used as a beneficial herb for thousands of years. Ayurvedic practitioners consider turmeric to be important for overall good health and have traditionally used it to support joint mobility, digestion, and circulation, among other bodily processes.* Haldi doodh (haldi=turmeric and doodh=milk), sometimes referred to as “golden milk,” is a sippable turmeric infusion that offers an exceptional and traditional way to enjoy the benefits of turmeric—but the spice blend used in this beverage can be enjoyed in countless other ways as well!
Traditionally, haldi doodh is simply milk simmered with some turmeric and an optional sweetener like honey or sugar. One of the challenges of harnessing the benefits of turmeric is that curcumin—a component renowned for its antioxidant properties—is not particularly water-soluble and is slowly absorbed. The answer to this dilemma? Many families also add black pepper. This combination of fat, black pepper, and heat increases the bioavailability of the curcumin in the turmeric. Studies have shown that taking turmeric with piperine, the major component of black pepper, can increase the bioavailability of the curcumin by as much as 2000%! Note here that the same principle applies to Indian curries, in which turmeric, ghee, and pepper play key roles.
Similarly, researchers found that simmering the haldi doodh can increase the solubility of curcumin twelvefold. And, because turmeric is fat-soluble, the milk fat acts as a perfect medium to help our bodies better absorb the curcumin. If you are nondairy, unsweetened coconut milk, soy milk, and nut milks are good alternatives (based on fat content, almond, cashew, hazelnut, and macadamia are top choices in nut milks).
Perhaps you’ve had the chance to try a “golden milk latte” at the local coffee stand: a hot, yellow, foamy confection of a drink made with chai spices, dairy or non-dairy milk, just enough turmeric to color the drink, and generally a fair amount of sugar. This western coffee-shop facelift is a far cry from traditional haldi doodh and lacks most of the healthful benefits that make the drink a favorite in Ayurvedic medicine. But the latte crowd is onto something with the addition of those delicious spices. Adding ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom makes good sense, since they have notable antioxidant properties of their own, and they significantly boost the delicious flavor of warm golden milk. Best of all, a spiced golden milk powder blend can also double as a seasoning or flavor enhancer to an incredible range of other sweet and savory recipes as well (check out some ideas below).
Makes about 1/4 cup powder.
Ingredients
Directions
Makes 1 cup.
Ingredients
Directions
Pro Tips
You may also enjoy:
* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only.
Topics: Recipes, Tea & Herbal Drinks
Heidi is an award winning freelance writer with a passion for urban homesteading. She has been honored to receive a number of literary prizes including the esteemed Pushcart Prize and an Individual Artists Award in Creative Writing from the Oregon Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. She is proud to have earned a certificate of completion for the Herbal Medicine Making Course at the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine. When she isn’t working in the garden, cleaning the henhouse, preserving food, crafting herbal formulations, or writing and editing content for really fantastic small businesses, you’ll likely find her with her nose in a book.
