Wouldn’t it be great if your latte was golden?
Not made with actual gold, though—that’s something Paris Hilton would do. Instead, turmeric is used to give your latte that rich golden color, as well as infuse it with plenty of flavor and aroma that gives your latte a unique touch.
First of all, though, let’s talk about turmeric. What it is, what it tastes like and what benefits there are to consuming it.
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric is a flowering plant. From this plant, both leaf and root are used, but what we usually know as turmeric is the root.
This root is from the same family of the ginger root; it resembles ginger root in shape and texture, though it tends to be smaller in size and has a distinct orange, bronze-like color. They can also appear in different shades of yellow.
Turmeric has been used as medicine in ayurvedic medicine for quite a long time. In a while, we’ll go over the potential benefits of consuming turmeric.
So this root is converted into a powder, which is usually what we use. There are different types of turmeric powder and some might yield different colors or tones, so be mindful of the color you’re using. Usually, the color of the powder does not match the end result, at least not completely.
This powder is used in a multitude of dishes all over the world. Curry is the most notable of said dishes. Turmeric is highly valued for its flavor profile, being very earthy and aromatic as well as having very low bitterness.
How does it make my latte golden?
Thanks to curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric. It is naturally yellow-colored and commonly used as a pigment in food dye, etc. Turmeric also possesses volatile oil that is naturally orange-colored.
The mix of these two colors creates a very similar color, tone, hue to that of gold. Especially when combined with white foods or liquids, turmeric can achieve a very golden-like color.
What are the benefits of turmeric?
As mentioned before, turmeric has been used in traditional ayurvedic medicine for a very long time.
- Anti-inflammatory. The main benefit of turmeric is its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It is advised for any sort of swelling, pain, and inflammation, but it seems to be particularly helpful for joint pain and any sort of condition that involves joint swelling and discomfort.
- Allergies and flu relief. Consuming turmeric seems to have a positive effect in nasal congestion, runny nose and relieves sinus problems. It can be consumed as tea for this specific use, which helps it have a greater effect on your nose and sinuses.
- Skin. It is believed that turmeric and curcumin are powerful ingredients in a healthy skin routine. Consumed, it is believed to aid in achieving smoother skin. It is also used as a cleanser, exfoliant and is an important ingredient in different skin creams and cleansers.
And the list goes on. Since western medicine hasn’t seriously considered turmeric as something with medicinal value until very lately, there aren’t very many studies that can be considered definitive. So, really, we’re waiting to hear about many other uses for turmeric.
How to Make Starbucks’ Golden Turmeric Latte?
It’s time we got to the recipe! We’re gonna learn how to make a proper golden turmeric latte just like one you would order at a Starbucks. This is inspired by the original Starbucks recipe.
One thing before we continue: do try to get the most organic, legit kind of turmeric you can. It can be contaminated by cheap dying agents to make it look a certain color or simply to inflate quantities and sell more stuff that isn’t really turmeric but just dye.
More often than not, some of these dyes are derived from lead which can be very toxic for you.
Ingredients
- 200ml oat milk
- Two shots espresso
- 3 grams ground turmeric
- 1 gram ground ginger
- A dash of cinnamon
- A pinch of ground black pepper
- Sweetener of choice
- 5ml vanilla extract
Instructions
- You can make homemade oat milk really easily if you don’t have the time to go buy it. Simply blend one cup rolled oats with three cups of water. Blend for thirty seconds to one minute, strain, and you’ve got oat milk!
- Froth the oat milk by heating it and whisking for a little bit. Oat milk is really creamy, so it’s quite easy to froth.
- Make two shots of espresso.
- Pour espresso into your cup.
- Pour milk along with all of the spices.
- Stir for thirty seconds with a spoon.
- Once it turns golden, go ahead and sweeten it to taste.
- Finish by sprinkling a little bit of cinnamon and/or turmeric on top.
- Enjoy!
FAQs
What kind of milk should I use?
Any type of milk that you want is fine. It’s hard to say exactly why Starbucks’ golden turmeric latte is made using oat milk rather than any other type of milk. It could be that oat milk is much thicker, which helps evenly distribute the taste of turmeric.
It’s also true that turmeric has a distinct taste that goes better with certain foods. Oat milk, for many, might be a better pair for turmeric than cow’s milk.
But as with anything, you should try it for yourself and see which one you like best. You might find that, for you, cow’s milk is a better option
Can I use fresh turmeric?
No, at least not as a substitute to turmeric powder. This is because this particular powder is made in such a way that it perfectly breaks down the compounds responsible for the color of turmeric. So, without actual powder, you won’t get the much sought-after golden color.
You can use grated fresh turmeric as a topping or flavoring. The smell and flavor are so much better than the powdered stuff, even if it doesn’t help as much with the golden color. Just use a little bit as a garnish for an extra layer of flavor.