I’d like to introduce you to my new favourite hot drink: Ginger & Turmeric Tea.  It looks good, has health benefits, and tastes delicious! 

Ginger and turmeric are cousins from the Zingiberaceae family. Poor kids with a name like that. Once you get it, it’s kind of fun to say it. 

Ginger and turmeric both have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger, with its active ingredient gingerol, and turmeric, with it's active ingredient curcumin, are sometimes used to treat digestive issues and inflammatory pain.

There is a secret ingredient to making the turmeric work better -  black pepper!  Why?  Because when you add black pepper to the concoction, the piperine in the pepper increases curcumin absorption by your body. Turmeric + black pepper = more curcumin in your body, yielding more benefits from the turmeric.  

Ginger and turmeric tea warms you from the inside on a cool day, refreshes you on a hot day, and gives you that good all over feeling. 

To prepare it yourself:

1. Put the kettle on. Stop it before the whistle blows – the water should be hot, but not boiling.

2.. Slice 2-3 rounds of ginger root*.

3. Slice 2-3 rounds of turmeric root*.

4. Pour the water over the ginger and turmeric root.

5. Grind some black pepper over the top.

6. Drink and enjoy!

*You can also use grated ginger and turmeric root or a powdered version of the spice.

A Delicious Variation

If creamy is more to your taste, try a turmeric-ginger latte. These are most often made with nut milk and can be found in a healthy cafe near you. They’re also easy to prepare at home. Nadia Lim has a good recipe. Don’t forget to add some pepper to maximise the health benefits.