Turmeric Latte

Thanks to large national coffee chains, we've all become familiar with the term latte and think of it as a coffee drink with lots of milk. But what, exactly, is a turmeric latte? Is it coffee, tea, or something else entirely? Quite simply, a turmeric latte—occasionally listed as golden milk—is a milk-based beverage flavored with its namesake yellow root, natural sweeteners, and other aromatic spices. In other words, it isn't actually a coffee drink and won't give you that much-needed morning buzz.

Fresh turmeric is part of the ginger family and native to Southeast Asia. Just like ginger, turmeric can be grated fresh and used in cooking, but it's also available as a powder that can be found at most grocery stores. The deep yellow-orange hue of turmeric is often used to color foods such as curries or for dying fabrics. In fact, it's a good idea to be careful when you cook with turmeric because it will stain.

Turmeric has a warm, mild and slightly earthy, slightly bitter flavor. It's mostly an ingredient in savory recipes in South Asian, Indian, Moroccan, and Middle Eastern cuisine. The common Middle Eastern spice mix, ras el hanout, usually includes turmeric.

In some international food markets, you might find turmeric lattes sold pre-made, possibly under its Hindi name, haldi doodh. The pre-made beverage almost always uses non-dairy milk.

Fortunately, it's very easy to make this drink at home with a few simple ingredients. You'll need your choice of milk, ground turmeric, a natural sweetener such as honey or maple syrup, and some additional warming spices such as cinnamon and cardamom. In just a few minutes, a steamy cup golden milk will be ready. You can also easily make this latte vegan by using almond milk or unsweetened coconut milk.

A turmeric latte is still a warm and cozy coffee alternative to start your day.