There’s a “new” rhizome on the block that is catching everyone’s attention – turmeric. As a native of South Asia, it has been cultivated as a spice and medicine for nearly 4000 years, which hardly qualifies it as “new.” However, just as everything old is new again, part of its popularity is stemming from trendy new health beverages (such as Tumeric – notice it’s missing an ‘r’).
Other rhizomes include asparagus, hops and, the most famous rhizome of all, ginger. In fact, turmeric is also referred to as Yellow Ginger.
Long revered in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, turmeric (Curcuma longa) has received more attention lately as many studies are confirming the healing properties for which it has been held in high esteem. While it has a rich history of use in a variety of Indian, Asian, African and Middle Eastern dishes, Americans are most familiar with turmeric in curry powder.
Dried turmeric is what provides that quintessential golden, yellow color not only to curries but to a variety of other foods such as butter and cheeses (along with annato), mustards, chicken broth, and even some pickles. It is also used as a natural dye for fabric or Easter eggs!
The health benefits of consuming turmeric are numerous. As previously mentioned, both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, the classical Indian medical system, use turmeric for a variety of ailments including:
- aid and warm digestion
- reduce inflammation throughout the body
- heal various skin disorders and wounds
Kombucha Mamma Sez: “Fresh turmeric may temporarily stain your fingers and cutting board yellow. Don’t worry, the color will fade with washing and exposure to light.”
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As I live in the tropics I am lucky enough to grow turmeric and ginger in my garden. When I bottled my last batch of kombucha I added some mixed chopped ginger and turmeric since i had it handy. It developed such a lovely flavour that I will be making this again. evidently the properties of turmeric are supposedly more bio-available when taken in the presence of pepper and fat. Next time I am going to try adding a peppercorn and a little grated orange peel. I love this adventure!
I’ve been adding turmeric to my ginger beer bug the last couple rounds of brew. I enjoy it’s added earthy astringency, but my family members aren’t convinced:) it is intense for most westerners palettes. I find if I add water (or lacroix)and a mold honey it’s more readily accepted. I’m not sure if my teen should be I nesting it at the rate of soda pop however, and I’m hoping my dad will imbibe with pleasure.
Hi there,
You say tumeric is anti-bacterial etc, but kombucha tea is pro-biotic. If mixed together, wouldn’t the tumeric kill the good bacteria in the kombucha?
Yes, this is always the problem with generalizations. Kombucha is also antibiotic and will kill harmful microorganisms on contact such as e. coli & salmonella – so not all bacteria are the same! Pathogenic bacteria are not able to withstand the low pH or the acids that are created by the fermentation process. Good bacteria will support each other rather than destroy each other.
Thanks for so many great ideas and recipes!! I would love to print off these recipes but cannot seem to find that option. Any help on this matter would be great. Made kombucha several years ago and did not know how to use it. My son sent me your web site and I am having a blast learning and using the great drinks. Love the turmeric ideas!!
These look great, thanks! I usually buy more grapefruit than orange…do you think it’ll make much difference if I sub out the orange for a grapefruit instead?
Always worth a try! Let us know if you like it better with grapefruit.
I put Turmeric root in my juicer. It clears up the eczema on my hands and is an analgesic. Love Turmeric. I will enjoy trying these out!
Let us know how you like the recipes. We’d love to hear what you come up with too!
Yay, it was like my mind was being read. Brewing my first batch of Kombucha, and before I even started I wanted to do something with turmeric. I can’t wait to try these recipes!!
Hello! This sounds wonderful, but if turmeric is anti-bacterial, does it damage the bacteria in Kombucha tea?
I was wondering the same thing!
definitely going to try this! I use tumeric a lot for pain and this looks like a great way to use it!
This is a great recipe. BTW, turmeric tastes nothing like ginger. In fact, it has little taste when mixed with other spices and fruits. I put it in smoothies made with yoghurt and it adds color but very little flavor. If made according to this recipe the orange and cinnamon overpower any mild flavor of the turmeric which is fine.
I made these smoothies with berries, flax oil, yogurt, agave syrup, turmeric, vit. C and brewer’s yeast when my partner was on chemo and radiation. He overcame the effects of these treatments and thrived relative to others’ experiences. He avoided many of the powerful side effects of these treatments and is a cancer survivor today. I wish I had the kombucha at the time but I would like to grow it for daily consumption from now on. I grew it about 20 years ago but now I live in a place where, until recently, I could not get it. My best to all, I think this is a great website.
Great article Hannah. Do you think the turmeric would work in a second ferment? Currently I add sliced ginger to the swing top bottles for second ferments.
Hello Kombucha Mamma could you send a K Kit to New Zealand please? and if so how much will the postage be?
Thank you
Virginia
We do ship to New Zealand. The store is already set up to calculate the postage for you – simply enter your address, click “Calculate Postage” and it will update with the correct amount.
I will try it. I love turmeric and ginger, but in other dishes.
allow it to second ferment for a couple of days to get the full flavor
ok, tried it- kinda tasted like ginger. ok, but not great (not a huge fan of the flavor of ginger)
althrough im new my best so far was lemon (juice and zest) ginger & honey. try that im going to keep expirmenting but that one was a keeper.
I got some in my back yard I Puerto Rico Nice Idea
So do you add the spices to the Kombucha and let it sit in the fridge, or on the counter? For how long? Or do you just drink mix it in and drink immediately?
I do my first fermentation with nothing but tea and sugar… my second fermentation with my flavors bottled and on the counter out of sun. after 5 to 7 days i put them in the frige ready to drink. Im still new but this is working for me.
At first I thought it sounded awful, but with Orange and cinnamon, I’ll give it a try!
Going to make tonight!
interesting… sounds like a strange combo, but I’ll try it!
Hmmmm I haven’t….I’ve tried chai and it is really good 🙂