Easy and tasty turmeric coffee recipe

You probably know turmeric as the bright yellow spice used to give curries their vibrant colour and tangy taste.

While it has been a staple part of Asian cooking for centuries, it has made its way into coffee in more recent times.

Turmeric and coffee might not seem like the obvious pairing, - but don’t knock it until you try it!

These flavours go surprisingly well together and provide a range of health benefits that coffee alone cannot.

What does turmeric coffee taste like?

Turmeric coffee has a hint of spice, with notes of ginger and orange peel.

When paired with coffee and milk, turmeric’s bitter taste is cancelled out and replaced with a milder, more pleasant flavour.

Turmeric coffee is rich and warming, without being too sweet.

However, too much turmeric can set your tongue on fire (not literally) – so add it to your morning cup of Joe sparingly.

Is turmeric in coffee healthy? What are the turmeric coffee benefits?

Turmeric coffee is not only popular for its taste, but for its potential health benefits. These include:

Turmeric can promote weight loss

Studies suggest that the turmeric – specifically, its active ingredient, curcumin – can help reduce BMI.¹

Turmeric can support your mood

While more studies are needed on turmeric’s actual weight loss capabilities, researchers have recently found the turmeric may help support mood.²

As a result, an improved mood is the trigger some people need to exercise more and eat healthier foods.

Turmeric may have anti-inflammatory properties

Curcumin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.³

Inflammation is a natural response by the body to fight off bacteria, viruses and infections, while repairing the damage they’ve caused.

Short-term inflammation is beneficial in this way, but when it becomes chronic it can negatively influence your body's response to disease. 

Turmeric can help with this process while preventing long-term problems.⁴ 

Studies suggest that curcumin can even benefit patients as much as pain relief medications without the side effects.⁵

Turmeric is packed with antioxidants

Oxidative damage is responsible for premature ageing and several diseases.⁶

Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals, which are harmful to our health.

Turmeric is a natural antioxidant that can help keep our bodies functioning properly. It also helps reduce the risk of diseases that are caused by free radical damage.⁷

Turmeric may improve skin health

With antioxidant properties, turmeric is potentially good for skin health.

Also, because turmeric’s antioxidants protect the body against free radicals, it may positively affect the ageing process, preventing premature skin degradation.⁸

Turmeric contributes to healthy digestion

Turmeric is commonly added to curries and other foods because it aids with digestion.⁹

When taken in small quantities, the constituents of turmeric can help regulate acid production and muscle movement, which keeps food moving through the digestive tract.¹⁰

Try our easy turmeric coffee recipe

You can make this delicious turmeric coffee latte recipe with regular dairy cow’s milk.

Or, to make it vegan-friendly, switch to almond or coconut milk, both of which work just as well.

If you would prefer a stronger turmeric cappuccino, hold back on the milk and add a touch more coffee.

Prep: 5 mins | Cook: 5 mins | Serves: 2 | Difficulty rating: Easy

Ingredients:

• 350 ml of milk
• 1 tsp instant coffee granules
• ¼ tsp ground turmeric
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• Pinch of pepper

How to make turmeric coffee:

1. Add all of the ingredients (except the coffee) into a small saucepan on a medium-high heat.
2. Continuously whisk the ingredients until the mixture turns frothy.
3. Heat the mixture until it is warm, but do not let it boil.
4. Stir in the coffee granules.
5. Serve in your favourite latte glasses, adding a sprinkle of pepper on top if you wish.

Drink this coffee first thing in the morning to feel its full effects. It will also provide you with the energy boost you need to tackle the day.

Nutritional information of turmeric coffee

A turmeric coffee serving made with cow’s milk contains 154 calories and 5 g of fat.

It also contains 18 g of carbohydrates, 11 g of protein, 4 g of fibre and 4 g of sugar.

Last updated: 27 April 2021