It takes you 10 minutes to make my turmeric tea, and it has ginger in it. Because some mornings, I am not ready for that. Instead, I make this turmeric water. Three ingredients, two-minute prep; the same turmeric benefits.
Boil the water, cool it, then mix with turmeric powder, black pepper, and honey. That is it.
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It's not the most exciting drink, but it's one I keep coming back to.
For a spiced version with ginger and turmeric, turmeric tea is the better option. For a bedtime drink, turmeric milk works better than this.
Ingredients
Turmeric powder: I add half a teaspoon. Any more than that, and the water is just too strong and bitter.
Black pepper: ¼ teaspoon. Do not skip this. Curcumin in turmeric without the piperine in black pepper goes straight through you.
Honey: Optional, but I always use it. Turmeric water (with no honey) is really bitter. Skip it for zero added sugar.
Water: One cup per serving. First, boil it, then, while cooling, add a little turmeric.
How does It Taste?
It has an earthy, mildly bitter flavor balanced by the honey. Not horrible at all, but not something you drink for the taste either.
Step-by-Step Procedure
- Place 1 cup of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the flame and pour into a glass.
- Cool it off until lukewarm. Do not mix turmeric into boiling water, as it can turn bitter.
- Now add turmeric powder and mix it well.
- Then add in black pepper powder and stir once more.
- Add the honey and stir until fully dissolved.
- Drink warm.
- Every morning, I make a fresh cup. It tastes way better fresh! You can keep it in the fridge for 24 hours in a sealed jar, but the taste fades away.
Variations
Ginger turmeric water: This is the second version I make most often after plain. Simply add a small piece of grated ginger to boiling water. The drink has a more robust, spicier taste. Check my ginger water recipe for full details.
Lemon turmeric water: Squeeze lemon juice into the water after it cools. I have already tried this, and I think it's better without it. For those with a love of citrus notes, this one works. Just like my weight loss lemon water.
Cinnamon turmeric water: Add a piece of cinnamon stick while boiling for a warmer, slightly sweeter version. If you would like a full cinnamon-centered recipe, try my popular cinnamon water.
ACV turmeric water: After straining the turmeric drink, add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. While it has a sharp taste, people still like it. See my full recipe of apple cider vinegar drink for more details.
Substitutions
Turmeric powder: Fresh turmeric root works, but it dissolves best in water. Powder, then, is the way to go for something quick that you can just stir and drink.
Black pepper: Do not use any replacement for the powder here. Whole peppercorns are great in a simmered tea, but not necessarily plain water.
Honey: Skip it completely if you're avoiding any added sugars. I would not swap it out for maple syrup or any other sweetener; I just omitted it.
Why Drink Turmeric Water
Turmeric has been used for hundreds of years to treat digestion and inflammation. Curcumin is the active compound, and black pepper helps it be absorbed in your body.
Most of that curcumin passes through unused; it's black pepper piperine that makes it absorb.
Turmeric water alone will not cause weight loss. Curcumin may support weight management by reducing inflammation, but most studies use supplements rather than a homemade drink. Keep expectations realistic.
There is some research on turmeric and skin health, but it mostly focuses on supplements rather than something you can make at home in five minutes.
Tips
I typically drink this first thing in the morning before breakfast, but any time works; it is light enough that you can drink it whenever.
Once a day is enough. There is no real benefit to having it multiple times.
Two things learned the hard way. Avoid adding too much turmeric; half a teaspoon is sufficient. More than that, it tastes bitter and gets difficult to swallow. And do not drink it too hot. Let it cool to lukewarm first.
If you are on blood thinners, immunosuppressants, or any regular medication, check with your doctor before making this a daily habit.
How Long Before You Notice Anything?
Do not expect to notice anything for a few days. Try it consistently for a few weeks; digestion is usually the first thing to feel different.
FAQ
Half a teaspoon per cup is enough. More than that, and the water turns bitter and hard to drink. Adjust from there based on how strong you like it.
It can be. I do not take it every single day; I go a couple of days without, and that works great for me. Better to have it every day, even if it's missed on some weeks, than to have it for a few days and then forget about it.
Simply drinking turmeric water will not give you weight loss. What it will do is replace a more filling morning drink, and the gradual swap is where the real benefit lies. You can have it on most days, but do not expect results from the drink without changes in diet and movement.
Related
Recipe
Turmeric Water Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 glass water
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder/ haldi
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper powder/ kali mirch powder
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Take a utensil.
- Pour 1 glass of water and bring it to a boil.
- Switch off the stove.
- Pour the water into a glass.
- Let it turn lukewarm.
- Add half a teaspoon of turmeric powder into the water.
- Stir it well.
- Add quarter teaspoon of black pepper powder into the water.
- Add honey into it.
- Stir all the ingredients well.
- Serve the quick and easy light turmeric recipe.
Bhavana mali says
Found the must needed recipe in this pandemic. Turmeric and milk have there own health benefits and taking them will surely increase my immunity. thank you for this recipe.
Asiya says
Thank you! Hope you enjoyed it. Yes, turmeric is great for immunity. Glad the recipe was helpful.