Golden Milk Latte
What is golden milk?
It’s milk, but infused with gold leaves.
Only kidding, although I’m sure that would sell. Golden milk is a simply a lay name for an elixir that first originated in India. This recently popular drink, also called haldi doodh, is made of warm milk that is infused with spices, mainly turmeric, which gives the drink its beautiful golden color. Other spices commonly used include cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, clove, and black pepper.
In Hindu culture, turmeric is seen as sacred. I’ve read of a wedding day tradition in Indian culture in which a string, dyed yellow with turmeric paste, is tied around the bride’s neck by her groom, which indicates that she is now married and capable of running a household. This tradition still continues in Hindu communities and has been compared to the traditional Western exchange of wedding rings.
In Ayurvedic medicine, a deep interest of study of mine, it is believed that drinking milk at night can aid in sleep due to sedative properties and help prep your digestion for sleep.
Can you use any milk?
I don’t omit dairy completely from my diet, but I personally definitely digest plant-based milks better than I do animal-based milks. I believe that both dairy from animals (when antibiotic and hormone free) and plant-based milks (when limited in additives) have nutritional benefits. With a golden milk latte, any milk can be used, but traditionally cow’s milk is used. I personally love soymilk due it it’s thickness and high protein content, and almond milk due to its nuttiness and protein content.
For soy, I love unsweetened Eden, but sometimes just stick to the cheaper organic kroger soymilk when I cannot find Eden.
For almond milks, I use malk, which tastes great and also has minimal ingredients.
Benefits of Golden Milk
Golden milk infusions contain turmeric, which has been very well studied to have powerful antioxidant properties, including protection of healthy cells from free-radicals and cancer-causing agents. Combined with black pepper, curcumin (the main ingredient and powerhouse in turmeric root) is highly absorbed into the bloodstream and transported throughout the body.
Turmeric combined with black pepper also has powerful anti-inflammatory effects inside the body. These anti-inflammatory can help to reduce chronic diseases caused by low-grade inflammation, including heart and cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and even depression.
Cinnamon, a common ingredient in golden milk lattes, has been shown to reduce blood pressure - almost as powerful as blood pressure medication!
Ginger aids in digestion and motion sickness, but also can improve serotonin and dopamines, aiding in anxiety relief and depression reduction.
Golden milk lattes are caffeine free, which makes for a great afternoon treat. Caffeine has a half-life of 12 hours, meaning that it stays in your system for a long period of time after you consume it, affecting your sleep and adding stress on your adrenal glands. Cutting out caffeine can help with reducing anxiety, lowering blood pressure, improving absorption of nutrients, balancing hormone levels, and even help with headaches.
What does it taste like?
I would describe golden milk as very warming with the cinnamon and ginger, but also spicy and pungent from the black pepper and turmeric. I sweeten it slightly with honey, but it still retains an earthy flavor.
Recipe:
1 teaspoon of blume turmeric latte mix (you can also make your own mixture of turmeric, black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves if you have the spices. Just find the balance you prefer and use 1 teaspoon)
1 cup of unsweetened milk of choice
1 teaspoon honey (2 if you need it extra sweet)
Three ways to prepare:
1) combine all ingredients in a high power blender x 2 minutes and pour, top with cinnamon
2) heat milk on a sauce pan on medium high, then add in spices and honey, stir until fully infused, top with cinnamon
3) heat milk in a microwave safe cup x 1.5 minutes (leave a little room at the top of the cup), then use a frother to infuse the powder and milk., top with cinnamon
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Of course, you can find this organic, caffeine-free health drink at Story Coffee House. Happy health! 🤍
Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664031/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31617744/