Haldi Doodh - Golden Turmeric Milk
Haldi Doodh, golden turmeric milk, is an Ayurvedic Indian drink prepared in less than 10 minutes from 4 ingredients. It has incredible anti-inflammatory properties and is great for boosting immunity. This turmeric milk is great for flu season and for building immunity in children and adults.
Turmeric is a super ingredient in cooking. Its anti-inflammatory and healing properties have been popular for generations. Indians have consumed tons of turmeric every year, and now the rest of the world has joined in.
Turmeric is a simple herb that is available as a finely ground powder and is used in Indian cooking every day. We flavor our dals(lentils) and curries with turmeric powder. We also pickle it and enjoy it with our meals as achaar (pickle).
We use turmeric as a natural plant-based yellow dye for simple tasks like binding and dyeing, making colors for children and so on. It's great that this spice is now popular in so many ways. So it's nice to see turmeric in the aisles of big stores, in bottles as Turmeric Lattes, and in desserts like Panna Cotta.
To me, it's a very welcome development that an essential ingredient in Indian cuisine is gaining so much prominence.
Haldi Doodh is used as an Ayurvedic medicine to cure several ailments, including cough and cold, joint and muscle pain, sore throat, sinus congestion, etc. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties and other health benefits, Haldi Doodh is also gaining popularity in the Western world.
Popular in western countries as golden turmeric milk or turmeric latte, it is nothing but a mixture of ground turmeric and milk. For warmth and sweetness, a pinch of ground black pepper and some honey is added.
You can also use fresh turmeric roots instead of turmeric powder to bring out the flavor and benefits. This healing drink is spicy, strong and has earthy flavors. It's great for treating colds, flu or fevers.
Enjoy a warm glass of this soothing Haldi Doodh before you go to sleep, it will help you relax after a long day.
Some people add a little fat (such as coconut oil) to the Haldi Doodh recipe because, according to Ayurveda, the body's absorption of curcumin (the bright yellow chemical produced by turmeric) is better when mixed with a little fat.
But in this particular recipe, milk contains plenty of its own fat, so there's no need to add extra. But if you feel more comfortable with it, add a ½ teaspoon of coconut oil while making this drink.
Beneficial properties of Haldi Doodh
Turmeric has many medicinal properties and has long been an integral part of Indian cuisine. Drinking warm turmeric milk regularly has immense benefits and hence is a part of my regular diet. Here are a few health benefits of this golden milk drink:
It is a great immunity booster
Fights bacterial and viral infections
Has an anti-inflammatory effect
Relieves aches and pains
Rich in antioxidants
Cures sore throats, coughs and colds
Detoxifies the liver and improves intestinal health
Helps to sleep well
Ingredients for Haldi Doodh
Milk: The recipe obviously needs milk :-). From dairy options like full fat, 1.5% and skim milk to non-dairy options like oats, soy and almonds are all suitable for the recipe. I like to use whole milk for this drink. It makes everything creamy and rich.
Turmeric: Fresh turmeric is best for this recipe for better results. Wash the fresh turmeric very well. Rub it with the skin or after peeling. Don't forget to wear gloves when working with fresh roots, as this will leave a yellow stain on your hands that can be seen for days.
If fresh turmeric is not in season or inaccessible, use turmeric powder. Be sure to use a high quality organic turmeric powder to get the best effects.
Honey: This is an optional ingredient and can also be substituted with sugar or maple syrup. The milk can also be prepared without honey. But if you want some sweetness in your milk, add some honey.
Black pepper powder: Black pepper powder adds a nice spiciness and heat to this drink.
I often add some spices like cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon and black pepper. They can be added whole and boiled with the milk or in powdered form.
Many people also add ginger to the milk. We have a lot of ginger in our tea, so we won't use it here. If you like, feel free to add fresh ginger, though.
Variations
You can also add spices like ground cinnamon, ground long pepper (pipli), ground nutmeg, grated fresh ginger (or ground ginger) and cardamom powder to your turmeric milk recipe for added flavor and nutrients. Then you have masala Haldi Doodh :-).
A few kesar (saffron threads) added to this drink will not only increase the nutritional value, but also make it more delicious.
Soak a few almonds and cashews in milk for 30 minutes. Grind them to get a smooth paste and add this paste to your turmeric milk to make it even more delicious.
FAQs
Can turmeric milk be consumed daily?
Turmeric milk can be had once a day without any side effects. In fact, drinking it regularly strengthens your immune system and makes you physically and mentally stronger.
However, be careful not to overdo it as it can have side effects if taken in excess..
When is the best time to drink golden milk?
You can drink it any time of day, but I like to serve it in the morning after breakfast! It is also recommended to consume it right before sleeping to promote a good night's sleep.
How much turmeric can you take in a day?
You can consume 500 milligrams of turmeric per day. So, one to two glasses of Haldi Doodh per day is basically good for health.
How to make Haldi Doodh for cough?
To prepare Haldi Doodh for cough, add 3-4 crushed black peppercorns, 2-3 crushed cloves, a 2.5 cm piece of cinnamon stick (crushed), 5-6 Tulsi leaves (Indian holy basil leaves) to the normal recipe and boil the whole milk for 10-15 minutes.
Strain and drink warm. You can also add some dry ginger powder to this preparation.
Storage suggestions
Haldi Doodh will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days in a sealed jar.
Heat it in a pan or microwave before serving. Be sure to add honey just before serving, as it loses its good properties when heated.
The beauty of the recipe is that it's super easy to prepare it fresh from scratch, and it's ready in less than 10 minutes. It's been a family recipe for generations! We all loved it and still enjoy it to this day.
Ingredients for 2 cups
5cm piece of fresh turmeric or 2 tsp of turmeric powder.
2 cups milk
¼ tsp ground black pepper
2 tsp honey
Instructions
Wash and grate fresh turmeric. It can be peeled or with skin.To prepare Haldi Doodh with turmeric powder, replace 2 tsp grated fresh turmeric with 1 tsp turmeric powder.
Add 2 tablespoons of water to a pot. This will prevent milk from sticking to the pot.
Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Stir frequently to prevent milk from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Once the milk boils, reduce the heat to low. Stir in grated fresh turmeric or turmeric powder and black pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent the milk from burning.
Strain the golden milk into a pitcher or large measuring cup using a tea strainer.
Add honey and mix well.
Pour the hot milk into the serving cups from a little distance away to froth on top. Sprinkle a pinch of turmeric powder on top and serve immediately.
Tips
This turmeric milk can also be made with fresh turmeric powder.
Plant-based milk or lactose-free milk also works well for this recipe.
You can also add ¼ tsp ground cinnamon, and 4-5 coarsely ground cardamom pods for added flavor and nutrients, this variation is then called Masala Haldi Doodh.
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