We are trying to cut back on sugar with our diet. One thing that I want to eliminate is kombucha but I also want something a bit more exciting. This recipe for ginger, turmeric, lemon detox tea has become a favorite beverage around here and I have been making it on a regular basis. It is delicious hot as well as cold with a splash of bubbly water.
I discovered detox teas while researching beverage options other than water, tea, or coffee. It is the new year and everyone is being healthy so detox teas are everywhere. I started playing around with a few recipes that looked interesting and finally fine-tuned a recipe that I enjoyed.
There were a lot of things about the recipes I tried that did not go along with how we are trying to eat at home. Most of the recipes had some form of sugar, and we are trying to cut back it, so I definitely did not it to be an ingredient. Most of the recipes I tried also added chili peppers but I found the beverage too spicy and not refreshing.
My friend Dana gave me some amazing turmeric for Christmas and I knew that I wanted to include it in my potion. To be honest, I actually love the taste of turmeric, and if it has some added health benefits – a double bonus. The turmeric she gifted me is Diaspora Co, and it is gorgeous in color as well as flavor.
I recently read an article about turmeric, and did you realize that most of the turmeric that is sold in the states is not pure turmeric. It has been cut and processed so much that it is not pure curcumin which is the good stuff that will help inflammation. Diaspora turmeric is single-sourced from the same farm in India, is organic, and has is loaded with curcumin at 4.7%. Most turmeric sold in the states is below 2.5% curcumin. A 1/2 teaspoon equals 1 teaspoon of turmeric sold, it is that potent.
Other ingredients I wanted to include and were lemon, ginger, and cinnamon. I find all of these ingredients bright and fresh when combined together.
- Lemons: I use a lot of lemons during the winter as they are at their prime. Not only in beverages but also when cooking. The rumor is that lemons also aid in reducing inflammation and well as helping respiratory symptoms such as asthma which I have.
- Ginger: it is not a secret that ginger helps with stomach nausea isn’t that why you grab a ginger ale when sick? It also helps with clearing the sinuses and I usually toss some into a pot of soup when we are sick. It is also rumored that it is good for inflammation as well as joint pains, which is something we are starting to feel in our old age.
- Cinnamon: okay, here I go again, this is also a great digestive aid and it is so awesome that they say it lowers blood sugar, is an immune booster, it is all things anti such as oxidant, bacterial, fungal, and fights a virus. I have no scientific backing, I just like it so I added it to the recipe.
- Pepper: did you know that in order for Tumeric to be beneficial it needs to be mixed with pepper. Pepper helps activate the health benefits that turmeric offers so be sure to add it.
This recipe is fairly simple and it makes a lot. It lasts about 6 days, and we enjoy a glass or two every day. Sometimes I mix with hot water and sometimes I add bubbly water. I have noticed after drinking it for three weeks that I feel like my belly fat is going down. Nothing else has changed in my diet or exercise program. I am not sure fact-wise but I am feeling pretty darn good after drinking it.
Recipe: Ginger, Turmeric, Lemon Detox Tea
Ingredients:
- 3 ounces fresh organic ginger root
- 6 cups of water
- .50 ounces cinnamon sticks about three
- 1 small lemon (about 2 ounces), roll on counter to loosen juice, and then cut in half
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
How To:
If you are not using organic ginger, then be sure to peel it. If organic it is okay to wash well and leave the peel on. I cut away any blemishes. Slice thinly.
Place the ginger and water into a medium-sized saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
Add the cinnamon sticks, lemon, pepper, and turmeric. Stir and cook over very low heat for 15 minutes.
Let cool, then strain into a glass jar and refrigerate.
To serve:
- Hot Tea: place 1/4 cup of tea tonic, 1/8 cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice, and 6 – 8 ounces of hot water into a cup. The water ratio depends on how strong you like the tea. Stir and enjoy it.
- Fancy Tea: place 1/4 cup of tea tonic into a glass and top with bubbly water. Stir and enjoy it.