Turmeric Milk, Haldi Doodh or Manjal Milagu Paal is a Soothing, comforting, traditional Indian Hot Beverage that is known world wide for its numerous health benefits. Best drink to consume when feeling under the weather or dealing with seasonal allergies.
Golden Turmeric Milk Recipe is an Indian hot beverage made with milk, turmeric and few other ingredients. This Ayurveda recommended anti-inflamatory drink is also called Haldi Doodh, Manjal Milagu Paal (Tamil) and Golden Milk in the West.
Haldi doodh or turmeric milk is an age old home remedy to cure cold, cough, sore throat. It helps you sleep better (best night-cap) and great for skin health.
To be quite honest, as a kid, I never enjoyed drinking milk. But every single time I suffered from cold, cough or throat pain, mom made a pot of turmeric milk and I had to drink it under her watchful eyes.
Till today this is my go-to solution when me or husband are feeling under the weather and need a quick pick me up. We usually consume this before going to bed and wake up next morning refreshed.
Golden Turmeric Milk or Haldi wala doodh is highly recommended during flu season or winter. If you are someone who constantly bears the brunt of weather change or has seasonal allergies, this milk will definitely help you relax and soothe.
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Turmeric and Its Uses in an Indian home
Turmeric is used for cooking curries, soups, stews , dal and sabzi. This Indian Superfood is used in the preparation of ayurvedic medicines and cosmetics.
Turmeric Milk is also recommended when you are healing post-surgery. Application of turmeric on external wounds such as cuts and burns helps in quick healing as turmeric has antiseptic properties. This is also one of the reasons why drinking turmeric milk for quick healing of internal wounds is recommended.
Turmeric is used in traditional Indian wedding. Haldi Ceremony is planned a day before the wedding and fresh turmeric paste is applied on the skin of the bride and groom.
I use home grown turmeric leaves to steam idli at home. They smell absolutely divine with some sesame oil or ghee drizzled on top.
In Maharashtra and Goa, a traditional dessert called "Patolya" is made with rice, coconut and jaggery. These are steamed in turmeric leaves and drizzled with ghee just before serving.
Ingredients
Turmeric and Black pepper powder are two key spices for turmeric milk. Black Pepper helps in effective absorption of turmeric by the body.
I also recommend adding few other spices that enhance both taste and health.
You can use fresh turmeric root instead of turmeric powder. It can be finely grated and added while heating the milk.
Use good quality Organic brand of Turmeric Powder that is free from artificial color and additives.
Ground Ginger or Dry Ginger Powder - Also known as "Chukku" or "Sukku" in South India and "Saunth" or "Sooth" in Hindi.
You can substitute with fresh ginger but we prefer the powder.
Cardamom - This is what I personally love to add because it enhances the flavor and aroma of milk.
You can substitute with vanilla essence (few drops) especially for kids.
Nutmeg - If you want to sleep like a baby, this is an ingredient you must add to your Turmeric Milk or even plain milk, if you like. You can also use cinnamon powder.
I have used A2 Organic Cow Milk for this recipe.
For a Vegan substitute, you can use Oat Milk or Almond Milk (it tastes really good).
Sweetener - We have replaced white sugar or refined sugar at home with suitable alternatives. For this recipe I have used Palm Jaggery or Karuppati Vellam (Tamil). Coconut Sugar, Honey, Maple Syrup, Agave are suitable alternatives.
You can also use medjool dates or date syrup instead of sugar.
Note - Milk tends to curdle if jaggery is added to hot milk. Add jaggery, once the milk is off the stove and slightly cool.
Traditionally, turmeric milk is made without nuts or seeds. However, you can add coarsely ground almonds or any other nuts of your choice.
Best time to Drink Turmeric Milk
Turmeric milk is best to consume at bed time. It provides relief, clears the nasal passage, soothes the throat and helps you sleep without disturbance.
Always keep a gap of 2 hours post dinner before consuming turmeric milk.
After you consume turmeric milk, do not consume any thing else. Not even water. The Turmeric milk with the spices acts as a layer which prevents you from coughing in the night and getting that much needed rest when sick.
This is something I follow till date and it works! Mom's cannot be wrong! Ever!
My mom used to make us drink haldi doodh steaming hot. Today, golden milk latte and iced golden milk are quite popular in cafes worldwide.
How to make Haldi Doodh or Golden Turmeric Milk Recipe
(1) Heat milk in a sauce pan.
Once the milk is warm, add turmeric powder, dry ginger powder, black pepper powder, cardamom powder and nutmeg powder.
Mix well and let the milk simmer for a couple of minutes.
Note - Ensure the heat is medium to low while stirring the milk with spices.
Switch off the flame, remove the sauce pan off the stove and add palm jaggery. Mix until it dissolves completely.
Strain the milk, pour into cups and serve hot.
Storage / Tips
If you have made a big batch of turmeric milk, you can re-heat on stove-top or microwave oven.
However, I recommend and if time permits, making turmeric milk fresh, every single time.
Always strain the milk before serving.
Other traditional Indian beverages
Shikanji (Indian Lemonade with spices)
Masala Chaas (Spiced Buttermilk)
Neer Mor (South Indian Buttermilk)
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Golden Turmeric Milk Recipe | Haldi Doodh | Manjal Milagu Paal
Ingredients
1 cup is 250 ml, 1 tbsp is 15 ml, 1 tsp is 5 ml
- 1 ½ cups Milk A2 Organic Cow Milk Used
- ¾ teaspoon Turmeric Powder or Haldi Powder (Manjal Podi)
- ¼ teaspoon Cardamom Powder or Eliachi Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Dry Ginger Powder (Chukku Podi)
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder or Jaiphal
- ¾ teaspoon Black Pepper Powder Refer Notes
- 1 tablespoon Palm Jaggery or Sugar Refer Notes
Instructions
- Heat Milk in a sauce pan.
- Once the milk is warm, add turmeric powder, dry ginger powder, black pepper powder, cardamom powder and nutmeg powder.
- Mix well and let the milk simmer for a couple of minutes (on low heat)
- Switch off the flame. Add palm jaggery or sugar and stir well until it dissolves.
- Strain the mixture and pour into serving cups. Serve hot.
Notes
- Always make a fresh batch of this milk and consume immediately. It is best consumed piping hot or warm for a good night's sleep.
- I would not recommend re-heating the turmeric milk especially after jaggery is added.
- If using sugar, add the sugar along with the spices and let it simmer.
- Always strain the milk before serving.
- For adults, you can sprinkle some finely powdered black pepper powder on top while serving.
- Add spices according to your personal preferences. If you find the black pepper too spicy, please reduce the quantity.
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We will be back again with yet another exciting recipe .. Until then, stay healthy and happy!
Vidya Narayan
This milk really has healing properties. Our elders always gave it to us when we had cold, fever or when we get hurt. I like your recipe with spices in it. I only add turmeric, cardamoms, saffron and pinch of black pepper. Must try with nutmeg and ginger.
I am sure the recipe has many versions. Hope you like ours. Thank you.
The milk looks so comforting and lovely! The perfect antidote for doing away with mild sniffles in the winter.
We often make turmeric milk, but I have never made it with palm jaggery, pepper and other spices the way you have, here. Would definitely love to try out your version. 🙂
I hope you love trying our version. Thanks.
The Indian kitchen can be a veritable pharmacy as demonstrated by this recipe. This sweet and spicy milk will not only cure the cold and cough; it is also delicious and aromatic.
Thank you Aruna and yes, I agree that such age old recipes are the best.
Pana kalkandu with manjal paal was my paati's go to remedy for cough n cold much before "Turmeric latte" priced at X $ became faashionable. Its so nice you have planted these at home,,, homemade recipes are truly unbeatable...
Thank you Kalyani
One of the best ways to boast immunity in winters .. love this turmeric milk with such flavorful immunity boasters which is regular feature in our home to beat the cold and harsh winters..as usual beautiful shot Vidya and wonderful share.
Thank you Swati
Growing up I too was not a fan of Turmeric Milk as my mum would add salt too. Salt is suppose to loosen up the cough. However, nowadays I make it regularly for hubby and me. I', so glad I read your post as that is going to make my next turmeric milk even more tastier as I am going to add cardamom and jaggery. Thank you so much for the useful suggestions Vidya.
We all learn so much from each other. I did not know about the benefits of adding salt to the milk. True benefits of age old remedies I say. Thank you for sharing.
Turmeric milk is such a healthy drink with anti inflammatory, immune boosting properties that I often tend to ignore its benefits during my childhood days. I've always used honey as sweetener, will definitely try with palm jaggery next time.
oooo so beautiful. In fact, it reminded me of how amma used to get us to have these every monsoon season and then disguise it as cold paal for summer and give it again.
This golden milk drink is always comforting me! The addition of these lovely spices not only give so much flavour but also numerous health benefits. An ideal drink to have when we are under bad weather, a pain relief remedy!!
Turmeric milk is indeed soothing and therapeutic. We are into a habit of taking it daily at bedtime. We take it without any sweetener though. Will try your version with jaggery tonight.