Turmeric Root … It’s a root in the ginger family. It’s yellow or orange in color and it leaves a yellow stain that is sometimes hard to wipe off counter tops or linens. It’s spicy and blends well with many other spices, especially black pepper..
It is also one of the healthiest spices, since it’s filled with lots of antioxidants, vitamins, iron and manganese. That means it helps fight pain and inflammation, has a great reputation for fighting arthritis pain in particular, and is even said to fight depression and improve mental ability by fighting off dementia. It works best when its consumed with some kind of fat, be it an oil or butter, as well as black pepper. That’s because it’s water soluble and piperine, an ingredient in black pepper, helps the body absorb it better.
On top of all of this turmeric is easy to find in most markets, comes in either its natural root or as a powder, though the root is so much better for you and does add a very pretty bright and happy color and flavor to whatever liquid or dish it’s in.
Did I say liquid? For a spice that’s a main ingredient of curries and spicy rice dishes? Yes, turmeric is great as a tea or a latte as well.
It doesn’t take much to prepare the root for any recipe. The outside peel can either be scraped off with a knife or spoon, then the inside grated, chopped or minced. Or, the outer peel, scrubbed, can be left on and the root sliced very thin.
Adding a bit of grated turmeric to any rice gives it a pretty color and a slightly spicy flavor. Simply add a half teaspoon or so of grated turmeric root to the cooking water for every cup of rice. Or try adding some to scrambled eggs, stir-fries or soups.
But a Turmeric Tea is an enjoyable, relaxing, easy way to ensure all the benefits turmeric packs with little work. While chai tea is probably the tastiest, dry it in coffee as well. You might like it! It you’re using it grated, you might want to drop it in the brew with a tea strainer. Try about a half teaspoon of grater turmeric per cup.
Turmeric Tea
2 cups water
- tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground or grated turmeric
Pinch of black pepper
2 teaspoons honey
Directions
In a small pot, add water, turmeric, lemon juice, and black pepper. Whisk together and heat over high heat. When the tea just starts to boil, turn the heat down to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
Once the tea is finished simmering, turn off the heat, add the honey, stir and enjoy.
Once you’ve tasted how great turmeric is in a tea, venture out on your own for personal variations. Try adding a stick of cinnamon for stirring. Or toss in a couple of cloves with the turmeric. Make the tea using a regular flavored tea bag. Or, to keep some fat in the tea, add coconut oil.
If you live in the Bayshore of Monmouth County, you can usually get turmeric at the Highlands Gourmet Grocers on Waterwitch Avenue in Highlands. The helpful staff there will probably also have some other ideas of how you can enjoy this wonderful root spice.
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