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Author:
Tracy Nawara
A warm latte with warm spices is the ultimate comfort drink. This could be because it reminds us of Christmastime. Coffeehouses usually roll out new coffee items around then. In the end, warming spices have that name because they make you feel warm inside, no matter the time of year.
Turmeric is a great spice to add to coffee. It’s actually great to add to anything due to its numerous health benefits. This bright yellow spice has been used in alternative medicine for centuries, as it is a natural anti-inflammatory agent with high levels of antioxidants. Our body endures a lot of wear and tear each day, but turmeric can help keep your body healthy, naturally.
In addition to turmeric, ground ginger and cinnamon are used in this sweet and spicy latte. Having a well-rounded array of spices deepens the flavor of this drink, making it better than any coffeehouse latte you’ve ever had. Its these little steps that add so much flavor to your drink making.
While talking about spices, if you can grind your own from whole, that would be optimal. Freshly ground spices have so much more flavor than pre-ground, and you will definitely notice a difference. Having a good spice grinder is an essential kitchen tool and will change your cooking game for life.
The final flavor element to add to this latte is vanilla. Add the extract off the heat so that the alcohol in the extract do not burn off. Vanilla is something you always want to add at the very end, off the heat. It adds a subtle sweetness without overpowering the spices.
Using freshly brewed espresso will offer the most coffee flavor in this drink. There are a lot of milk and spices at play, and despite them all you still want the coffee to stand out. The stronger the coffee or espresso, the better. Otherwise, the coffee will disappear among the other strong flavors.
You can use any type of milk that you like. Bloom the spices in the warm milk, add the vanilla, and then froth using an immersion blender. Do this in the same saucepan to not dirty more dishes. This will elevate your latte to another level.
Use any milk that you like. Cows milk was used to develop this recipe, but you can use any milk alternative that you enjoy. Coconut milk, almond milk, and unsweetened soy milk would all be a delicious swap for cows milk.
To top this latte off, why not add a little whipped cream? All good coffeehouse lattes are topped with this special treat. Also, cream binds with the spices, making this latte smooth and luxurious when sipping.
Serve a turmeric latte when you need a little antioxidant boost, such as after a long night. You can also enjoy this drink at any time of day or year. If you are not putting spices in your coffee already, this latte will open your eyes to the wonderful world of homemade coffeehouse drinks.
If you can grind your own fresh spices, now would be the time. Otherwise, just use fresh pre-ground spices.
Start by blooming the spices. To a small saucepan, add the milk, sugar, ground turmeric, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon. Whisk together until homogenous and bring to a low bubble. Do not cook too long, you only want to heat the milk enough so that the spices are more pronounced. The milk will turn a deep yellow in color from the turmeric.
Remove the milk mixture from the heat and add the vanilla off the flame. Stir together again and using an immersion blender, froth the milk for a few minutes until frothy. Divide the milk among two mugs.
Brew your espresso. Once complete, add it to your spiced milk mixture. Stir with a spoon and top with your whipped cream. Serve while hot.
