Warming Turmeric Chai Tea
Fall has arrived and that means warming spices are on the menu and this turmeric chai tea hits the spot. It tastes wonderful and helps empower your immune system, which is especially needed this time of year.
Spices are packed full of polyphenols which help calm inflammation and improve your immune response to pathogens or the germs going around. Drinking this tea as a daily habit this fall may help you overcome the crud we are all exposed to this time of year.
Cinnamon sticks are readily available and are packed with antioxidants. Infusing cinnamon into this tea helps naturally sweeten the tea but will also help fight inflammation and stimulate the immune system.
Turmeric is another ingredient that has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. If you can find fresh turmeric, grab it and make this tea. Fresh has more phytochemicals and higher antioxidant activity compared to dried. You can freeze fresh turmeric to increase its usability. Pair turmeric with black pepper to increase the absorbability of the active ingredient, curcumin.
Ginger is also a component to this recipe and also has highly anti-inflammatory properties as well as digestive benefits.
Incorporating these spices into your daily habit can help set you up for a healthy fall and holiday season. You can always bump up the amount for a stronger tea. Let me know if you give it a try.
Turmeric Chai Tea
Ingredients
- 2 large cinnamon sticks
- 1/8 tsp cardamom seed or powder
- 5 whole clove buds
- 2 inches fresh ginger thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh turmeric or 1 tsp dry powder or more depending upon taste
- 4 cups of water
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar or maple syrup or honey to sweeten
- 2 cups unsweetened coconut milk almond, hemp or oat milk to taste
Instructions
- In a medium pot, bring the herbs and water to a simmer for 15 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and allow to steep and cool.
- Strain liquid through fine-mesh sieve into a jar for storage or for deeper flavor, keep the spices in the tea during storage.
- To serve, pour desired amount of tea into a cup and add milk of choice and sweetener to taste. Store refrigerated, in a covered jar. Warm up or drink cold.