If you’re looking to boost your immunity (important always, but now more than ever!), Ayurveda & Wellness expert, Mira Manek has shared a wonderfully-nourishing recipe for Golden Cocoa Chai.
With all the healing properties of turmeric and the richness of cocoa, this is a filling drink with a burst of energy from the caffeine hit of cacao. You need only a few ingredients and a blender. But if you don’t have a blender, you can use ready milk instead of blending with soaked nuts!
Golden Cocoa Chai Recipe
Nutrition and immunity breakdown
Turmeric:
The golden wonder, great for boosting immunity. Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory active compound found in turmeric. Research has found that even a small amount of curcumin in your diet can significantly improve antibody release in your body. Turmeric has many detoxifying and antioxidant properties, that help to cleanse and prevent free-radical damage, again boosting immunity. The golden spice can also support digestion and boost brain function.
Ginger:
Another herb full of healing and therapeutic properties for the body. According to Ayurveda, ginger is a superfood, and its warmth is believed to strengthen Agni, the digestive fire, helping to support the digestive system. Gingerol is one of 115 different compounds in ginger and considered to be the most therapeutic. This compound provides anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Ginger also helps cleanse the body and prevent the build-up of Ama toxins in the body.
Honey:
For that slight sweetness, but also has medicinal properties, is rich in antioxidants, helping to protect the body from free radical cell damage, whilst also aiding digestion.
Cinnamon:
A warming spice that increases circulation and blood flow and is particularly beneficial throughout the winter months. It can also help settle the stomach whilst boosting digestion. Cinnamon can add a natural sweetness to your drinks, without causing a spike in blood sugar.
Cocoa (or raw cacao):
Rich in flavour and have many antioxidant and anti- inflammatory effects on the body. Cocoa also contains a notable amount of caffeine, so will give you that afternoon pick me up.
Nuts:
Rich in antioxidants and vitamins but also contain zinc and vitamin E in particular, which is great for boosting immunity.
Golden (Turmeric) Cocoa Chai
Ingredients
- Handful 5-8 nuts of any choice (cashews, walnuts or almonds) soaked in water for an hour or overnight (alternatively use a mug of any milk)
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp cinnamon powder
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 cm piece of ginger root (or use pinch of ginger powder)
- 1 mug water
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
- Blend together all the above ingredients (not the honey) in a high-speed blender – the longer you soak the nuts the easier they are to blend but soaking also makes them easier to digest. Now boil this blended mixture in a pan, then pour into a mug, stir in the honey and it’s ready to sip, savour and enjoy!
- If you don’t have a blender, boil together all the ingredients with any milk of your choice, then stir in the honey and sip.
Mira Manek is the author of bestselling cookbook Saffron Soul and recently published Prajna – Ayurvedic Rituals for Happiness. She has her own Chai café in Kingly Court Soho called Chai by Mira, located inside Triyoga Soho, and she runs wellness retreats and workshops. \ https://miramanek.com/
We’d love to hear from you! Do let us know if you try this recipe – you can leave a comment below and/ or tag us in your delicious creations on Instagram @the_foodiediaries.
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