Turmeric Any Time

This article originally appeared in Optimum Wellness, Fall 2018, page 13.

Turmeric Any Time: The anti-inflammatory spice enhances a host of flavorful food and drink

By now, it’s well recognized that turmeric does a body good. The superspice has anti-inflammatory benefits, improves brain function and helps with arthritis. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, was also recently found to combat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Studies like this extolling the positive effects of the root add more fuel to the turmeric trend, currently on fire across food and beverage categories.

Finding ways to add the healthful superfood to our diets has never been easier thanks to this continued popularity and the wide variety of food and drinks that feature the ingredient. A day gets off to a great start with a turmeric-accented juice such as Uncle Matt’s Organic Orange Turmeric Juice or, in the same orange-hued vein, Simple Truth Organic Carrot Turmeric Juice. Turmeric also plays an active role in many tonics and herbal teas. KeVita Turmeric Ginger Apple Cider Vinegar Live Probiotic Tonic and Traditional Medicinals Organic Turmeric with Meadowsweet and Ginger are cold and hot drink examples. 

Golden milk is another surging turmeric trend, made by blending the spice (or ground fresh root) with steamed coconut or nut milk and black pepper, the spice that unlocks the benefits of curcumin in the body. Make it from scratch with powdered spices, ginger and honey or from a mix such as Jarrow Formulas Golden Milk Turmeric Infusion Power. Another way to enjoy the experience of golden milk? Nature’s Path Golden Turmeric Cereal which takes the beverage into a bowl of corn flakes flavored with coconut, cinnamon and honey. Purely Elizabeth also uses coconut and turmeric in an instant Vibrant Oats cup made with quinoa, flax and chia.

A sign of a maturing trend is when it moves farther away from its source, in this case, when turmeric starts flavoring snacks, crackers and confections. Larabar Organic Superfood Bar mixes fruits, nuts and seeds with kale and turmeric for a portable antioxidant boost. RW Garcia’s Organic Lentil with Turmeric Crackers show how easy and logical it can be to use healthful spices in familiar places. Vosges Turmeric Ginger Chocolate Bar and Theo Coconut Turmeric Chocolate Clusters are two sweet treats that weave in wellness.

Happily for health-seekers, turmeric is a principle spice in curry powder. Cooking curried soups and stews bring turmeric to the table as do the many prepared, packaged curry-flavored salads, soups and meals. Mann’s Nourish Bowls promote a number of hot trends with the Cauli-rice Curry made from chopped cauliflower, green chickpeas and curry sauce. Sweet Earth Curry Tiger Bowl is a frozen vegetarian lentil, brown rice and quinoa meal scented with turmeric.

Take advantage of turmeric’s trendiness to find new ways to add the powerhouse to your diet.