Turmeric as a spice has been used by people for culinary and medicinal purposes for more than 4,000 years, but if previously it was a traditional seasoning in the East, in the last 10 years it has become popular in America, Europe, and even in Russia it can be found in almost any supermarket . It is added to dishes and drinks, including coffee drinks: the spice gives an interesting taste and has many beneficial properties. We tell you all about how to make coffee with turmeric, how much to add, so that it brings benefits, whether it is harmful, and what interesting recipes exist.
Coffee and turmeric: is this combination possible?
Recently, more and more people have begun to talk about the benefits of an aromatic invigorating drink, dispelling the stereotype about the dangers of coffee.
It is necessary to observe moderation in everything, so frequent and large quantities of espresso, cappuccino and other drink options can negatively affect the nervous system, heart and blood vessels. Turmeric can neutralize the harmful effects of coffee.
The spice will soften the reaction: pacify blood pressure and prevent heart rhythm from being disturbed. Therefore, you should not wonder whether you can add turmeric to coffee, but just season it with a pinch. This amount will be enough to benefit and give a bright taste and color to a cup of drink. Connoisseurs and true gourmets have already appreciated the recipe for a long time.
Briefly about turmeric
Turmeric is the dried and powdered root of the plant of the same name. The spice has been used in cooking and in traditional medicine recipes for many thousands of centuries. India is considered its homeland, but today it has become so widespread that it can be easily bought in stores in almost every corner of the planet.
In its pure form, turmeric has an earthy taste, sometimes it can give off notes of cardamom and cinnamon. Its aroma is somewhat reminiscent of shades of ginger and orange zest. All together creates an unusual spice sound that goes well with other spices and products, enriching them, softening them and imparting subtle notes of nobility in the aftertaste.
Useful properties of turmeric
The bright orange spice belongs to the ginger family. This fact indicates the undeniable benefits of the product. Turmeric (also called turmeric) is widely used in dietary and medicinal menus. A huge credit for this goes to curcumin, the main antioxidant contained in the spice.
It is he who contributes to:
- liver detoxification;
- lowering cholesterol levels;
- fight against free radicals;
- increasing brain performance;
- resistance to inflammatory processes.
Turmeric also purifies the blood and helps produce new red blood cells. Its use helps regulate metabolic processes, protein absorption, digestion and restoration of intestinal microflora, etc. It is also used in the prevention and treatment of diabetes.
The undeniable benefits of turmeric are complemented by a pleasant taste and aroma. Adding it to coffee will add sweetness, thereby eliminating the need to pour sugar into a cup of drink. The bright orange color of the spice will also be reflected in the liquid, especially if it is cappuccino, latte or other varieties with milk.
What is turmeric
This is a yellow spice that is obtained by drying and grinding the rhizome of the plant of the same name - the horizontal underground part of the root with vertically growing stems buried in the ground. It resembles yellow wasabi, both in its taste and in the color and appearance of the plant.
The spice combines the scent of ginger and citrus; it is a mild spice that combines well with many foods.
Turmeric contraindications
Important! Although there are undeniable benefits, the spice is not suitable for everyone.
Turmeric enhances the functioning of the pancreas, that is, it is contraindicated for the following diseases:
- pancreatitis;
- hepatitis;
- gastritis with high acidity.
It is necessary for pregnant women to exclude it from the diet, because it increases the tone of the uterus.
Individual intolerance in the form of allergies is also possible, so if rashes or itching suddenly appear on your body, you should stop using turmeric in any form.
Contraindications
The beneficial effects of spice on the body are undeniable. But this is provided that coffee with turmeric is consumed in moderation, not exceeding the recommended daily intake. A healthy person should drink no more than 1-2 cups of this drink per day (the optimal amount of turmeric per day is no more than one teaspoon). The exception is people with food intolerance to this spice and those susceptible to allergies. Also, coffee with added turmeric should be replaced with other drinks if:
- the woman is pregnant or is breastfeeding;
- At the same time, blood thinning medications are being taken;
- surgery is planned;
- there are acute or chronic diseases of the gallbladder.
Also, do not give the drink to children and adolescents.
Coffee with turmeric: beneficial properties
It is recommended to drink a drink in this combination to preserve youth, maintain healthy skin and the body as a whole. The beneficial properties of coffee with turmeric have been proven by traditional medicine: the drink acts as an antiviral and anti-inflammatory agent, and also has an anti-carcinogenic effect.
For weight loss
In terms of its beneficial properties, turmeric is compared to ginger, so the bright orange spice is an excellent assistant in weight loss.
Thanks to the use of turmeric, the metabolic process is normalized. Adding spices to dishes and drinks helps burn calories faster and in greater quantities, normalize blood circulation, and remove excess fluid from the body - thus preventing the formation of fatty tissue. All together makes coffee with turmeric a delicious component in the weight loss menu.
Benefits of turmeric
This spice attracted the attention of scientists back in the 1990s, when they began to study the properties of its active ingredient, curcumin. For some time it was considered almost a panacea, attributing to it effectiveness in the treatment of all diseases, from psoriasis to oncology. Later it became clear that not all of the beneficial properties of curcumin can be used in practice, and its healing effects are most fully revealed precisely in the composition of the spice, in combination with other substances that give it taste and aroma.
To date, the following beneficial properties of turmeric have been proven:
- this spice is a natural antibiotic and antiseptic that destroys pathogenic microorganisms;
- consuming spices helps prevent the development of tumors of the prostate, breast, and lungs;
- it slows down the development of melanoma and can destroy even already formed cells;
- its regular use reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease;
- the spice has the ability to remove toxins and cleanse the liver in the most gentle way;
- it is a natural pain reliever and anti-inflammatory agent that has no side effects;
- This spice promotes accelerated wound healing and skin restoration after injuries and various injuries.
On a note! Anti-inflammatory properties make turmeric useful in the treatment of arthritis and some other joint diseases, as well as in the complex treatment of psoriasis. Some studies have shown that turmeric may be promising for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, however, the mechanism of its action in this case needs further study.
With pepper
Among the various preparation options, the invigorating drink, which in addition to turmeric also contains black pepper, is very popular among coffee lovers. According to experts, all the beneficial properties of golden root are better revealed with pepper.
Often, many consumers do not know how much of a given ingredient should be put in a drink. Experts advise that the amount of black pepper from the amount of golden root should be at least 4%. The composition of coffee is represented by the following components:
- Ground coffee (two teaspoons).
- Water (0.2 l).
- Turmeric powder. You will need 2-3 spoons.
You should take very little ground black pepper, namely on the tip of a knife. As in previous cases, to prepare the drink you will need a Turk. In it, the mixture is first heated and then seasoned with ground coffee. It is necessary to heat the liquid in order to better reveal the taste and aromatic properties of each component. The warm Turk is filled with water. Next, you need to put it on the fire, and then season it with yellow root powder and black pepper. Some people add another pinch of salt. The drink is infused for several minutes, after which it can be poured into cups.
Initially, such an invigorating drink was known only in the East. Today, due to the exotic combination and unusual taste, coffee with black pepper and golden root powder is quite popular all over the world. Plus it's very useful. The fact is that pepper is a good antioxidant with a high antibacterial effect.
Drink recipes
The variety of recipes allows you to experiment with new unusual bright tastes of an invigorating drink by adding various spices to it. For example, gourmets will love coffee with turmeric and black pepper, while those with a sweet tooth will love a drink with cinnamon and honey. Moreover, brewing such coffee is no more difficult than following a standard recipe.
Classic spicy
Ingredients:
- ground coffee – 2 tsp;
- turmeric – 1 tsp;
- milk;
- honey – 2 tsp;
- water – 200 ml.
Cooking method:
- Pour coffee and turmeric into a Turk, cover with cold water and put on fire.
- Wait for it to boil, remove from heat and let the drink brew.
- Add honey and milk.
With black pepper
Ingredients:
- ground coffee – 2 tsp;
- water – 1 glass;
- turmeric – 1 tsp;
- ground black pepper – 0.5 tsp.
Cooking method:
- Pour the spices, coffee and pepper with water, mix thoroughly, put on fire and bring to a boil.
- Let the drink brew for 5-10 minutes.
An invigorating drink with black pepper and spice is not only an exotic taste, but above all a storehouse of vitamins and amino acids. Moreover, in combination with pepper, the spice is absorbed hundreds of times better.
Cinnamon
Ingredients:
- natural coffee – 2 tsp;
- cinnamon sticks – 1 pc.;
- turmeric – 1 tsp;
- whipped cream or milk - optional;
- sugar, lemon or honey - optional.
Cooking method:
- Add coffee, cinnamon and turmeric to the pot, add water and bring to a boil.
- Add additional ingredients to taste if necessary and let the drink brew.
Turmeric latte
Ingredients:
- natural coffee – 2 tsp;
- turmeric – 1 tsp;
- milk – 200 ml;
- honey or sugar - optional.
Cooking method:
- Heat the milk in a Turk without bringing it to a boil.
- Add turmeric and coffee to milk.
- Bring the drink to a boil.
- Let it sit for a few minutes.
- Add honey and sugar to taste.
With golden milk
Ingredients:
- milk – 150 ml;
- ground coffee – 2-3 tsp;
- turmeric powder -1 tsp;
- ground ginger – 1 tsp;
- orange zest - optional;
- whipped cream - optional;
- honey - optional.
Cooking method:
- Brew coffee separately.
- Mix turmeric, ginger and ingredients of your choice with milk.
- Heat the milk without bringing it to a boil.
- Combine coffee and milk with spices, let the drink brew.
Reviews
Natalya, Moscow I have long wanted to try coffee with pepper and finally made it. In addition to a pea of allspice, I added cinnamon and boiled the drink in a Turk. I really liked the drink, it is especially good in winter.
Larisa, Perm I really like coffee with red hot pepper. It turns out especially tasty if you add a little cardamom.
Irina, Novosibirsk I love coffee with different spices. I can’t imagine winter without a warming drink with pepper. But I don’t recommend adding more than three spices to coffee at the same time.
Introduction to spice
According to experts, many consumers do not know that turmeric is a monocotyledonous herbaceous plant from the ginger family. It is often confused with ginger. You should know that you can combine these spices with each other, but you cannot replace them. Ready-to-use turmeric looks like a bright yellow fine powder. In this form it is packaged and placed on the shelves in bags. In fact, turmeric is a root that is also called “golden”. India is considered its homeland. Turmeric, or “turmeric” (the second name of the root), is not only a spicy spice, but also an effective remedy used to treat certain ailments.
Additives of milk and honey
Milk with curcumin is indicated in dietary nutrition. It is better to drink it separately from all other dishes - in the morning, afternoon or evening. It improves metabolic processes and removes toxins, and also normalizes blood sugar levels, which is important for the nutrition of diabetics.
The main thing is to adhere to the recommendations that are available for this recipe: use it no longer than one month.
Honey, another natural product that is used to replace refined sugar. Less is needed, and it contains a huge amount of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants - everything that benefits the body. You can combine milk, turmeric and honey. The result is a low-calorie drink that you can drink at night as a dinner replacement.