Happy 2018!

I promise I haven't suddenly jumped on the "clean food" wagon. I am, however, starting out the year on a fairly healthy note, with this hot, turmeric, tea and almond milk concoction, aka "Golden Milk" or "Haldi" or "Turmeric latte" or whatever other name you want to give it. It's got caffeine and turmeric and healthy nut fats to help counteract whatever I've done to myself over the last few weeks.

(I'm looking at you, Christmas brunch, but the extra tortilla(s) and helping(s) of refried beans were soooo worth it.)

(And I might like Bloody Marys now.) 

But, at least for the next few days, I'm trying to be a little nicer to myself, so I started January 1 off with a big, steaming mug of this golden latte, and I think it was the right decision. Plus, it's an easy, no-fuss, dump, stir and simmer situation that I can get behind, especially as someone whose main hot beverage routine involves only boiling water and a tea pot.

I first encountered golden lattes at the Whole Foods in Arizona, when I was visiting last Thanksgiving. Something about the earthy turmeric and spicy ginger just sang to me. I spent two shopping trips for groceries exclaiming about my latte, which I'm sure was a huge help to my Dad, who just wanted me to confirm what kind of chorizo we were supposed to be buying.

I still haven't found a latte quite as excellent as the one they make at that Whole Foods, and I'm assuming it's because of whatever ginger syrup they are using that others aren't. My Whole Foods doesn't serve them, so for now, I can't do more research. But I'm glad to say this one comes close, with the happy addition of black tea (my second oxygen), but also a good amount of ginger. 

Trust me, these may play of the turmeric, but the ginger is what is gonna make you love it.

Golden Tea Latte

Adapted from Tejal Rao

• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 1/2 inch piece ginger, peeled and grated
• 1 cardamom pod
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 peppercorns
• 1/2 tbs honey
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 black tea bag

1. Add water, turmeric, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, pepper and honey to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the milk and the tea bag and cook until steaming. Strain into a mug and enjoy while hot.

Notes:

• It can seem like a bit of a pain to mix all of these ingredients each time you want to enjoy this latte, but there are people out there easing that pain. Sarah Britton at My New Roots has a recipe for a big batch of the turmeric mix, and for Christmas I was gifted with the easiest cheat of all, turmeric concentrate. You could just mix equal parts concentrate and milk, add a tea bag, and be done!