A Golden Milk Worth Making Twice

Curcuminoids are fat-soluble and heat-shy. Stirring turmeric into hot water gives you a dusty, bitter cup. Bloom it in a little fat and the whole drink changes character.

Ingredients (serves two)

• 2 tsp coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 green cardamom pods, bruised
• 1/2 tsp Ceylon cinnamon powder
• A crack of black pepper
• 400ml milk of your choice
• Honey or kithul treacle, to taste

Method

• Warm the oil in a small pan over low heat.
• Add turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon and pepper. Stir 30 seconds until fragrant — do not let it smoke.
• Pour in the milk and bring just to a tremble, never a boil.
• Steep off the heat for four minutes, strain, sweeten, serve.

Thirty seconds in fat is the entire difference between a golden latte and a glass of sand.

This is a drink, not a remedy. Enjoy it because it tastes like a spice market at dusk.