Ginger Turmeric Root Tea — a soothing tonic made by simmering fresh turmeric root and ginger with a touch of black pepper. Sweeten to taste and enjoy hot or chilled. This vegan, gluten-free infusion is simple to prepare and supports wellness when consumed in moderation.
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Fresh turmeric root used to be uncommon in many grocery stores, but it has become more available recently. Compared with ground turmeric, fresh turmeric offers a brighter, somewhat bitter and more robust flavor. It can stain hands and cutting boards, so handle it carefully. In recipes, you can substitute fresh turmeric for ground turmeric in many cases — peel and grate or thinly slice it, and use a smaller amount if you want to avoid an overpowering bitterness.
When I have fresh turmeric, I often make a jar of this tea. Simmer sliced turmeric and ginger with a dash of black pepper for several minutes to extract flavor and beneficial compounds. Black pepper helps increase the bioavailability of curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, so include it even in small amounts. Sweeten the tea with maple syrup, sugar, or another sweetener to suit your taste. You can also add warming spices like cinnamon or a few tulsi (holy basil) leaves. Serve the infusion hot, or cool and pour over ice for an iced tea.
Turmeric has a long history of traditional use for supporting inflammation and general wellness. As with any supplement or herbal remedy, consume turmeric in moderation — it can affect blood clotting in some people, so consult a healthcare professional if you have concerns or take blood-thinning medications.
More turmeric recipes from the blog:
- Turmeric Peanut Butter Chickpea Curry
- Turmeric Iced Masala Tea
- Turmeric Lentil Spinach Dal with Panch Phoron Spices
- Turmeric Steel Cut Oats
- Turmeric Lemon Rice
- Indian vegan recipe collection
Ginger Turmeric Root Tea
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups water
- 1 inch fresh turmeric root, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1/2 to 3/4 inch ginger root, thinly sliced
- a very good dash of freshly ground black pepper
- maple syrup or sugar to taste
Optional add ins:
- Cinnamon stick or ground cinnamon
- Slices of fresh lemon
- A few tulsi (Indian holy basil) leaves
Instructions
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Add water, sliced turmeric, sliced ginger, and a dash of freshly ground black pepper to a saucepan. If using, add cinnamon or tulsi. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat and continue to simmer for 6–8 minutes. Taste and add maple syrup or sugar if desired. Strain the tea and serve hot with lemon slices if you like.
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To serve iced: cool the brewed tea and pour over ice.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
