Fresh Turmeric Tea (15 Minutes)

Learn how to make turmeric tea from scratch in just 15 minutes by simmering fresh turmeric root with water. It’s an incredibly easy way to make tea, and super easy to build off of by adding fresh ginger, citrus peel, honey, and more.

Did you know making tea from scratch is ridiculously easy? So easy that it makes tea bags seem totally silly!

If you’re a regular reader here at Salima’s Kitchen, you may have noticed I’ve been on a bit of a tea kick lately. This is because most homemade teas require just 2 ingredients: the base of the tea (in this case we’re using fresh turmeric) and water.

This turmeric tea can actually be made with fresh turmeric or ground turmeric (the spice you likely have in your kitchen) in a matter of minutes. Keep reading for details on that!

It’s a warming, aromatic tea that has a subtle spicy, earthy flavor and beautiful golden color. You can sweeten it up with a squeeze of orange or a spoonful of honey and enhance it’s natural creaminess with a splash of steamed milk.

This is a spice I grew up enjoying frequently in both Puerto Rican recipes and Moroccan cuisine, so enjoying it as a homemade tea feels familiar and cozy.

If you give it a try and enjoy, I also recommend taking a spin at making your own Moroccan mint tea, Cinnamon tea, and Lemon Verbena tea.

2 Simple Ingredients

• Fresh turmeric root
• Water
• Optional: fresh ginger, citrus peel, citrus slices, honey

Find the full ingredient list with exact quantities in the recipe card below.

Step by Step Instructions

Tip: Wear gloves when working with fresh turmeric to prevent staining your hands. Turmeric stains easily so be careful not to let any scraps sit on white countertops for too long either.

Note: If you’d like to add fresh ginger & citrus peel to your tea, add to the boiling water at the same time as the turmeric.

Using Ground Turmeric

If you can’t find fresh turmeric, you can also make turmeric tea using the ground spice.

This version is extremely simple, just add a teaspoon of the spice to your mug and mix with hot water from a tea kettle.

Iced Tea Tips

If you prefer your tea iced, feel free to make a double or triple batch of this. Add any desired sweeteners while it’s hot to dissolve completely, then let cool.

From there you can pop it in the fridge and enjoy later as an iced tea.

I also love pouring the chilled tea into ice cube trays and using the ice cubes to cool my iced tea, to prevent it from getting too watery. This iced tea is delicious with fresh mint and citrus slices.

Easy Additions

Like most teas, this turmeric tea is extremely easy to build off of. Because of it’s warm, vaguely spicy flavor, it acts as a sort of blank canvas that can go in many different directions.

Here are a few of my favorite additions when brewing a batch of this tea:

• Honey: This one feels obvious for just about any tea, but I find it works especially well with these flavors as it adds another dimension to play off of that subtle spice.
• Citrus: Adding either citrus peel as the tea simmers or garnishing with a slice of fresh orange or lemon is another way to add depth of flavor and a subtle sweetness.
• Ginger: If you like the combination of ginger and turmeric, adding a sliced nob of fresh ginger to the water to simmer with the fresh turmeric gives yet another layer of aroma and taste to the tea.
• Black Pepper: If you’re feeling bold and spicy, add a pinch of black pepper and do some reading on the combination of black pepper and turmeric!

I’m also a sucker for a fun garnish in drinks, both alcoholic and non alcoholic. In this one, you can try a slice of fresh citrus (as mentioned) or a sprig of fresh mint to add to the aromatic experience while sipping.

Making It A Turmeric Latte

If you’ve been on the turmeric train for long, chances are you’re also familiar with the widely popular golden milk.

For those who might not be familiar, golden milk is thought to have originated in Ayurvedic medicine, and is essentially milk (dairy or dairy free) simmered at a low temperature with turmeric.

The result is creamy and smooth, spicy and vaguely sweet. It’s really delicious, if you’re wanting something more like a turmeric latte.

If that sounds like something you’d be into, I recommend substituting the water in this recipe for a milk of your choice, and instead of bringing it to a boil, simply simmering with the turmeric until golden.

You could also make this turmeric tea as instructed, then top with some steamed, frothy milk for a more ‘traditional’ latte.

More Cozy Beverages

Happy sipping!

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