Looking for an immunity boost? We’ve got a super simple recipe that people have sworn by for millennia: Golden Milk!
Haldi Doodh or Turmeric Milk aka “Golden Milk”
Today’s topic of discussion might already be in your spice cabinet: turmeric. There’s a good chance you’ve seen it pop up in a lot of recipes lately, and for a good reason. The potent, gold powder has become somewhat of a fad in Hollywood and can be found splattered across recipe books everywhere. But the truth is, turmeric is a spice that’s been around way longer than you’d think!
Brief History of Turmeric
Turmeric was used medicinally almost 4,500 years ago and also carried some spiritual significance. It can be traced back to India nearly 4000 years ago as a culinary spice and also had religious meaning. Beyond medicinal purposes, the Hindu religion views turmeric as sacred and is used in marriage ceremonies and even worn as pendants to ward off evil spirits. Additionally, it’s been used for many years as a food and fabric dye due to it’s bright, golden yellow coloring.
Fresh Turmeric
What is Golden Milk?
There are many different ways in which turmeric can be utilized, but one of the most popular ways is to turn it into golden milk, also known as haldi doodh! Originated in India, haldi doodh is milk infused with turmeric and has been used to aid many ailments, including colds, coughs, inflammation, aches, pains, and restlessness. In Indian culture, it’s mom’s go-to solution for everything and it’s a tradition found to be very comforting.
Perhaps the best part about golden milk is how easy it is to prep! There’s a good chance that you already have all of the ingredients hanging out in your cupboards, pantries, and refrigerator. Heat up your cup of milk, add in some turmeric and sugar to taste, and that’s literally it! Who knew being healthy could be so easy?
Golden Milk Benefits
According to PBS, India has been the largest consumer and exporter of turmeric since ancient times. The turmeric plant itself is only a little over two feet tall and grows both a flower and a stem underground, also known as a rhizome. Similar in nature to ginger, the root is ground into the rich gold powder we know as the turmeric spice.
Turmeric has an impressive list of credentials when it comes to a healthy body as it has been shown to have a wide spectrum of biological actions. These include its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, anticoagulant, antifertility, anti-diabetic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antiviral, anti-fibrotic, antivenin, antiulcer, hypotensive and hypocholesterolemia activities, according to the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research.
Turmeric Powder
Golden Milk Ingredients
For this turmeric golden milk recipe, you’ll need the following basic ingredients:
- Milk
- Turmeric powder
- Honey
- Whole cardamom pods
How to Make Golden Milk
This traditional golden milk recipe is incredibly easy to make! Simply bring the milk to a rolling boil, then stir in turmeric powder and cardamom pods. Cover and let the mixture steep for 5 minutes before pouring into mugs. If desired, you can stir in a little honey to sweeten.
If possible, use fresh turmeric root for this recipe. It has more health benefits and has a more distinct flavor. You’d make this recipe the exact same way, just with sliced fresh turmeric instead of dried.
Haldi Doodh or Turmeric Milk aka “Golden Milk”
Golden Milk Variations
If you’re lactose-intolerant or vegan, feel free to substitute cow’s milk for almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, whichever you prefer. Not a regular sugar fan? No problem! Use honey or agave for a similar taste. Jaggery, made from the sap of palm trees, can also be used as a substitute for regular sugar. It’s made out of different types of palm, most commonly from date palms or coconut palms.
Whether you’re looking to kick that cough or you’re in the market for a really peaceful night’s sleep, golden milk can help get you there. After all, this millennia-old tradition has stuck around for a good reason!
More Indian Drink Recipes:
- Curry Leaf Vodka Tonic
- Nimbu Pani (Indian Spiced Lemonade)
- Classic Indian Chai
- Iced Masala Chai Latte
Traditional Golden Milk Recipe
Originated in India, Turmeric Milk or Golden Milk is simply milk infused with turmeric and has been used to aid many ailments, including colds, coughs, inflammation, aches, pains, and restlessness.
Ingredients
- 4 cups Milk (whole milk or reduced fat, based on preference)
- 1 tbsp turmeric powder
- 2-3 tbsp honey use sweetener of choice- sugar, agave syrup, jaggery powder
- 2 whole cardamom pods optional
Instructions
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Bring milk to a rolling boil.
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Stir in turmeric powder. Add cardamom if you like. Cover and let it steep for 5 minutes.
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Pour into serving mugs or glass. Stir in honey or sweetener of choice.
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Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
If available, fresh turmeric root is more beneficial and should be used in turmeric milk. Simply replace turmeric powder in the recipe to freshly grated turmeric root. Steep and strain before serving hot.
I tried it and it was so soothing. Used almond milk & agave, was lovely. I’m hoping it will help aleviate some of my allergy issues. BTW, why did you stop making the naan chips? I cannot find them anywhere and they are so much better than the tortilla or potato chips, tho I like sweet potato chips. What can you recommend?
Hello Sukhi,
As a loyal user of numerous of your products and a lover of Indian cuisine, I am thoroughly enjoying learning more about the frequently used spices, herbs, roots and their properties from your posts. A couple of things come to mind. First, do you have a kitchari recipe you could share? Also, I loved your lime pickle which you no longer sell. Do you have a recipe for that you could share? Thank you for offering us such wonderful advice. Mary K. Arcata CA
Hi,
How much fresh turmeric?
Thank you so much I was in the hospital with severe pain in my stomach/pelvis area and after many tests with blood and ultrasound the doctors said that everything came back negative. I went home in still a lot of pain and a little voice in my head (GOD) told me to make golden milk. I had tried it years ago, but anyways I looked up this recipe and drank it and I swear by the morning I was healed! I got a call from the doctor a couple days later to find out my urine culture came back positive of ecoli! So I just wanted to thank you for this super healing recipe! And most of all THANK GOD for HIS perfect medicine!
Oh my gosh, hope you feel better soon! So glad you were able to reap the benefits of turmeric milk. This has been part of Ayurvedic medicine for centuries in India and only recently has been gaining the much deserved exposure in the the west.
I haven’t tried this yet, but I want to. I was just wondering if I could do this with soy milk as well as the other milk alternatives you have listed.
Oh absolutely!
This was amazing. I used fresh turmeric and cardamom powder with coconut sugar. My only question is how well does it hold up in the fridge? The batch is way to large to consume in one sitting.
Hi Toshia – you can also make one cup of milk at a time and just use less turmeric, cardamom, and sweetener. If you want to keep it in the fridge, we would only recommend for ~24 hours. You will have to heat it and stir well before drinking.
Hello,
I heard that we should have black pepper with turmeric, otherwise we won’t absorb it. I found some recipes that include black pepper, but I see that yours does not. Could you let tell me more? Thanks.
Yes that is true that black pepper helps turmeric absorption, but so do healthy fats! Hence, golden lattes are the perfect way to consume turmeric. You can add black pepper to the latte as well – it is really customizable to your favorite spices. I also like adding cinnamon. Let us know if you try it with the black pepper. We would love to hear how it turns out.