‘An almond milk decaf mocha please. Or perhaps a three-quarter soy cap? Oh, look at this – a turmeric or mushroom latte? I’ll try a turmeric latte, why not. I’ve heard they’re good,’ The internal dialogue while you’re perusing the cafe menu comes to a halt. You place your order and are ready for your catch up – Melbourne style.
Little do you know that the “turmeric latte”, or haldi doodh has been a popular caffeine free drink throughout the Indian subcontinent for hundreds of years. Most commonly as a pre-bedtime drink. Think hot chocolate Indian style.
Turmeric has been a component of Middle Eastern and Asian cooking for centuries, and there’s good reason. According to Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine), and more recently the director of nutraceuticals at the University of Newcastle, it is a very powerful food for reducing inflammation. This includes all inflammation connected to chronic pain and diseases, and interestingly for those athletes and pregnant mothers out there – joint inflammation!
Not only is it an anti-inflammatory, but is also utilised in Ayurveda as an antiseptic and antibiotic, and has recently been proven to reduce cognitive decline.
So there’s a little history to share when you next sit down at a cafe!
This is our considered but light and brief introduction to the topic. For more information please check out:
https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2016/09/20/secret-history-turmeric-latte