Fresh Ginger Turmeric Tea with Black Pepper
This is the tea I make again and again, and I wrote it down so I never forget it. Fresh ginger brings the warmth and a little bite, fresh turmeric turns it a beautiful sunny gold, and a few cracked black peppercorns round it out (pepper is the classic partner for turmeric). There's no need to peel the roots. Just scrub, slice, simmer, and pour. A squeeze of lemon and a spoonful of honey are lovely, but it's just as good plain.
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- A 2-inch piece of fresh ginger root (about 1 ounce), scrubbed and thinly sliced
- A 2-inch piece of fresh turmeric root (about 1/2 ounce), scrubbed and thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns, lightly cracked (or 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper)
- Optional: 1 to 2 teaspoons honey per cup (no honey for babies under 1)
- Optional: 1/2 lemon, juiced, or lemon slices to serve
Method
- Scrub the ginger and turmeric well under running water. There's no need to peel them. Slice both thinly, about 1/8 inch, so they give up more flavor. Turmeric stains, so use a board you don't mind turning yellow, or wear gloves.
- Put the water, ginger, turmeric, and cracked black pepper in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Turn the heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 15 minutes. For a stronger, spicier tea, simmer up to 25 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let it steep, covered, for 5 minutes more.
- Strain into mugs. Stir in honey and a squeeze of lemon to taste if you like, and sip while it's warm.
Notes
Babies under 1 should not have honey. Leave it out or use maple syrup. For little ones, serve it lukewarm and diluted half and half with water, and skip the black pepper if it's too spicy. Turmeric stains counters, cloth, and wooden spoons, so wipe up spills right away. If you can't find fresh turmeric, use 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric. Talk with your doctor about large daily amounts if you're pregnant or take blood thinners.
Storage
Strain and refrigerate in a covered jar up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove, or drink it over ice. Leftover sliced roots keep wrapped in the fridge about 2 weeks, or you can freeze them for months.
💪 0g protein per serving (serves 4)
💡 Nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan without the honey (use maple syrup instead).