Turmeric Chai Latte Recipe – Homemade Chai Extract with Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric. Dairy or Non-Dairy. Make a Sweet, Exotic and Healing Beverage at Home.
This recipe was inspired by a turmeric chai latte I had at one of my favorite lunch spots. The concept is something I’ve been meaning to experiment with for some time, but I wasn’t entirely sure how to go about it. I love the chai spice mixture in my Coconut Chai Rice Pudding, but I wasn’t sure how to smoothly incorporate those spices into a latte. The answer was to create a tea concentrate that could be refrigerated and used anytime you have a latte craving. The flavor is sweet, exotic and just a little spicy. You can make it with your favorite milk or non-dairy milk substitute. I’m a big fan of coconut milk here, which gives the latte a rich flavor and foamy texture.
Chai is already exotic on it’s own, but the addition of turmeric and black pepper really kicks it up a notch. Lately I’ve been adding turmeric to everything, so it doesn’t seem so crazy that I’m finding a way to drink it as well. The slightly yellow color of this latte comes from the curcumin found in turmeric. Curcumin has significant anti-inflammatory properties that rival those found in ibuprofen. Unlike over-the-counter drugs, curcumin has no toxic effects. In addition, curcumin’s powerful antioxidant advantages have been shown to protect healthy cells, particularly those found in the colon, from cancer-causing agents. It can aid the body in destroying mutated cancer cells before they have a chance to spread to other areas. Pretty amazing, right? As if that weren’t enough, turmeric also helps to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease. A reader tipped me off to the fact that adding black pepper to turmeric increases the health benefits, so I’ve added a pinch here and I believe it adds depth to the drink.
I’ve been enjoying this latte for a few months now, and figured it was high time I share it with you all. Not only is it fun to drink (who doesn’t love a good chai??), it’s nice knowing that I’m also doing something good for my body. I like this version even better than the one I used to get at the cafe down the road; coincidentally, they stopped making it several months ago. Thank goodness I now have this recipe in my kitchen arsenal! Just make sure you shake up that concentrate before you make the drink to get the full chai flavor. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
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Beauty shots and styling by Bethany Nauert.
Turmeric Chai Latte
Ingredients
Tea Concentrate Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups water
- 6 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 4 black tea bags
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon ground coriander
- Pinch black pepper
Latte Ingredients - Makes 1 Single Latte
- 3/4 cup coconut milk or the milk of your choice-- coconut and regular milk froth the best
- 3/4 teaspoon coconut sugar more or less to taste
- 1/4 cup tea concentrate
- 1/8 teaspoon turmeric
NOTES
Instructions
- To make the tea concentrate, combine all ingredients except for tea bags and vanilla in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat and add the tea bags and vanilla. Let the mixture steep for at least 10 minutes.
- Pour through a fine mesh strainer. Put the concentrate into a sealable container and refrigerate until ready to use. This will keep for up to 7 days. Shake well before using.
- To make 1 latte, whisk together the coconut milk, coconut sugar and turmeric in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat just until the mixture bubbles around the edges of the pan. Remove from heat.
- Combine the warm milk mixture with 1/4 cup of the tea concentrate in a glass. Stir to combine. Garnish with ground cinnamon if desired. You can adjust the sweetness level by adding more or less sugar to taste; I prefer this only mildly sweet.
- Note: If you prefer a frothy latte, use a milk frother or transfer the milk mixture to a deep container and pulse with an immersion blender until frothy. Then combine with 1/4 cup of tea concentrate and serve.
Nutrition
tried this recipe?
Let us know in the comments!
Note: Nutrition facts above relate only to tea concentrate. Latte calories will vary based on your milk of choice and the amount of additional sweetener added.
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sherri says
I just wanted to say that chai is also good using anise seed and fennel seeds combined with cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, ginger paste, and cloves…
Chris says
What is the benefit of using coconut sugar over white sugar? Is that your preferred sweetener or just in this application? I love chai and can’t wait to make this. Thanks for the recipe!
Tori Avey says
Chris, I like the flavor of coconut sugar in this beverage and it has slightly more nutritional value and fiber than regular sugar. That said, you can certainly use plain old fashioned sugar here if you prefer.
Miriam Sky says
After reading about the virtues of turmeric, my husband bought some yesterday and is now a turmeric tea drinker.
ann says
“Turmeric may interfere with anti-coagulants like aspirin, clopidogrel and warfarin. It also can affect medications such as non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. As with any herb or supplement, use as directed.”
I put this on because I tried tumeric in capsule and it was wayyyyy too strong for me. I also found that other sites also showed concern for certain people with certain conditions. They always say consult with your physician, but I think most of us don’t. Just be careful if you are using it for medicinal reasons. I love the taste of it though. I have never used it fresh. I am afraid it will dye my clothes. My husband and I use the powder quite often, but I always ruin a shirt.
Monica says
I am trying to print the tumeric receipt, but the print function is not working
Tori Avey says
Monica, it seems to be working on my end. May I ask what browser you are using?
Edna says
Hi there,
I have been using turmeric in everything for years…just a pinch will do.
I have also make tea to which I add turmeric, warm almond milk, a few drops if vanilla, and maple syrup – quantities depend on how many glasses I make.
Before I add the almond milk to the tea I froth it in my Nespresso frother.
Be careful not to put too much turmeric else you will end up with yellow teeth – the tea must also be weak otherwise your teeth will become stained.
Rose says
Sound delicious – can you tell me how many calories in a cup or if you’re on Weight Watchers the points – thank you
Tori Avey says
Hi Rose, unfortunately I do not provide calorie counts for my recipes. If you search the internet for calorie calculators, you should find many apps to help you do this.
Phyllis G Davis says
So looking forward to try this!
Carol Raivetz Newman says
16 years ago when my father was fighting cancer my manicurist was extolling the virtues of tumeric. Now I am reading more about it all the time.
iPiniumusa says
My husband makes the best chai for me every morning, this weekend I will have him ad Turmeric 🙂
Susan Sackinger says
I have a book on turmeric that was written at the end of wwii. It’s a wealth of information on the subject. I had given up ages ago trying to convince people of the health properties of the spice. All things in their own time I guess.
Josephine Boone says
That sounds delicious…I will add it to my things to try!
Lori Duo says
Tumeric..fights Cancer!!
Ann O'Brien Cooney says
I take it with every meal, along with a twist of pepper and a pat of butter or other fat.
Alexis I Skriloff James says
i do make my own chai, so now i will add the tumeric and coconut milk, two missing components.
Meredith Schneider says
Oh my goodness that looks amazing! Can’t wait to make one. ?
Kathryn Claussen says
Interesting!
Laura Gates Speece says
Ooh, yum! I love turmeric and I love chai, but I’ve never had them together!!
Carol Lewis Janssen says
I’ve heard many good things about turmeric but never tried it, so thanks for this recipe!
David Traub says
Turmeric is amazing! The best cancer fighter I know of.
Ramona Jaenicke-Hallstead says
Wonder if I can add some turmeric to my coffee shop chai latte.