It actually started with this Turmeric Ginger Tea. It was the perfect drink to sip on all day long in front of the fireplace. We still enjoy that quite often, but lately, we are also making Turmeric Golden Milk. It is especially great when you get a cold or have a cough that is hard to get rid of. I recently wrote a recipe for my favorite Turmeric milk recipe and talked about different ways of making it. One of those ways was with using turmeric paste. Nowadays, you can find jarred turmeric paste in health food stores, but I make my own so I thought I can share that recipe here with you. If you are like us, find comfort in a cup of hot turmeric milk latte in these cold winter days and want to be able to make it quickly, this post is for you.
What is Turmeric Paste
Turmeric paste (also known as turmeric powder paste) is a combination of ground turmeric, oil (this could be coconut oil, ghee, or other neutral oils), water, ground black pepper, and other spices (like ground cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger) heated until melted and turned into a paste for the purpose of using it in turmeric milk, smoothies, curries, etc. Although turmeric can be effective on its own, by mixing it with other good-for-you ingredients like cinnamon and ginger we get to enhance its healing properties. With that being said, you can make this paste just by using turmeric powder, coconut oil, black pepper, and water. This turmeric paste can be kept in a jar in the fridge to use in various recipes. More on that below.
How To Make Turmeric Paste (aka Golden Paste)
I make my turmeric paste by mixing ground turmeric spice with grated (or zested) fresh ginger, ground cinnamon, coconut oil, black pepper, and water in a small saucepan in medium heat. I whisk it constantly until the oil fully melts. I use fresh ginger because it is widely available, but you can also use a teaspoon ground ginger instead of its fresh version. It is important that you do not overheat it as the primary compound in turmeric, curcumin, loses its benefits when it is cooked for longer periods. Here you might ask, what is the best ratio of turmeric to black pepper and turmeric to coconut oil? Below is the formula that I follow:
½ cup ground turmeric spice1 tablespoon ground cinnamon1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated1 teaspoon black pepper¼ cup coconut oil1 cup water
Once the oil fully melts and everything is fully mixed, I transfer it to a medium-sized airtight jar and keep in the fridge to use whenever I want. This turmeric paste recipe makes just a little more than a cup of turmeric paste.
How To Make Turmeric Milk Using Golden Paste
The best thing about turmeric golden paste is that you can make turmeric golden milk in just a few minutes without having to get any other ingredients out. All you have to do is to mix a small amount of it with some hot milk. I think how much of it you use is a personal choice, but I usually like it best when I mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric golden paste with 1 ¼ cups of milk. In terms of milk, I prefer either unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk or a combination of both. My favorite sweetener is maple syrup, but you can use honey as well. Here is a quick how-to video showing you how I make this turmeric paste and use it to make a cup of golden milk for myself:
Turmeric Paste Benefits
I don’t know about you, but I do my best to avoid taking pills if I can find a natural way to treat my health issues. For centuries turmeric has been a staple and a go-to spice in Indian and Chinese cuisines and used for a variety of health problems. Nowadays, it is very popular in Western cultures due to its antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory properties. And turmeric is one of those great natural remedies. Studies show that the primary compound in turmeric, curcumin, is known to help reduce inflammation, prevent skin-related issues and allergies, reduce joint pain, and help our bodies build stronger immune systems. (SOURCE) I personally consume turmeric golden milk when I have a terrible cough that I just can’t get rid of. Drinking a cup of turmeric golden milk right before bed magically soothes my chest and gives me a relief from coughing, which later helps me get a good night sleep. You can read more about the benefits of turmeric in detail in this Turmeric Golden Milk recipe post.
How Long Does Turmeric Paste Last
As long as it is kept in an airtight jar (or container) in the fridge, it will last up to 2 weeks.
What Are Some Other Ways to Use
I usually use golden paste to make golden milk, here are some other ideas to put it to good use:
Mix ½ teaspoon of turmeric paste into yogurt, top it off with your favorite granola for breakfastAdd a teaspoon (or less) in your favorite smoothies for an additional boost of nutritionMix it with plain yogurt and drizzle it over roasted vegetablesBlend it in your salad dressingsMix a small amount of it with your favorite nut butter (i.e. almond or peanut butter) and spread it on toast.
How Much Turmeric Per Day
While its benefits are a mile long, you might want to stay away from consuming excessive amounts of turmeric. Because, overuse of turmeric may result in an allergic reaction on skin, nausea, risk of kidney stones, diarrhea, and upset stomach. Additionally, you should stay away from turmeric if you have kidney stones, gall bladder diseases, iron deficiencies, and diabetes. (SOURCE) But how much turmeric should you take in a day? According to this article, you should limit your ground turmeric intake to 1 teaspoon a day and fresh turmeric root intake to 1.5 to 3 grams a day. Can’t get enough of turmeric recipes? Try my delicious Turmeric Smoothies.
