Turmeric was named the breakout star ingredient of 2016 in a Google Food Trends report and its popularity hasn’t abated since. People are taking greater interest in functional foods, and how these ingredients can have a positive effect on our health and wellbeing.
Turmeric’s meteoric rise is due to a greater awareness of its abundant health benefits. It has been used medicinally in South Asia for some 4,000 years, and is now becoming a mainstream part of our diet.
So how do are we using it? Obviously it’s a key ingredient in many curries and Asian inspired dishes, but you can also use it in other sauces and soups, even those with Mediterranean flavours. Another favourite is to use it in a dry rub for roasted cauliflower, paired with roasted red pepper and almonds in nutrient rich salad. But the new star of the show is the turmeric latte, and it comes in many different guises…
So how do you make a turmeric latte?
There are different options for making a turmeric latte, including commercial packet mixes, or blended organic products with a range of other spices mixed in. These are generally whipped up either with steamed cow’s milk or with a vegan alternative, such as coconut, almond, soy, or even the new kid on the block, hemp milk.
The Lincoln Pantry’s Turmeric Latte is a simple recipe of organic turmeric, steamed coconut milk and a dash of black pepper. Black pepper improves the absorption of curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, and combining the spices magnifies their individual effects.
What are the health benefits of turmeric? Quite a few actually! Turmeric…
- is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent
- is a natural liver detoxifier
- is a potent natural anti-inflammatory and a therefore a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis..
- is a natural painkiller
- can speed up wound healing
- may aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management
- has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression
- may help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions
- may prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.