Turmeric chai latte - also known as golden chai latte - isn’t just a trendy café order. It’s a bold fusion of traditional Indian spices, robust black tea, and the earthy warmth of turmeric, all wrapped up in a creamy, comforting brew. Whether you’re chasing a caffeine kick with benefits or just want to upgrade your daily ritual, this vibrant blend offers more than just good looks for your Instagram Stories.
Before diving into recipes and brewing tips of turmeric chai latte, here’s a quick guide to get you up to speed.
What is Turmeric Chai Latte?
Here's a quick scan of what truly is a turmeric chai latte:
And for detailed breakdown, this is it:
What is it like: A turmeric chai latte is a spiced milk tea made with turmeric, black tea, and traditional chai spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. It’s a blend of two familiar drinks - masala chai and golden milk - bringing together the boldness of chai with the earthy flavour and health appeal of turmeric.
Its flavour profile:
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Warm, earthy, and slightly peppery flavour from turmeric
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Lightly sweet-spicy notes of cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom
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The rich depth of black tea
Is it available at a café:
Yes, many cafés now offer turmeric chai lattes or list them as golden chai latte or golden milk chai latte. However, the exact blend varies. Some use pre-mixed powders like Arkadia Turmeric Latte, which may not contain tea. If you’re after the full chai experience with tea and turmeric, it’s worth asking what's in the mix - or making it at home for full control.
How to Make The Best Turmeric Chai Latte At Home?
Making a turmeric chai latte at home is easier than it sounds - and you don’t need fancy tools to get café-level flavour. The secret is in using real spices, the right amount of black tea, and letting the ingredients simmer to extract depth. This gives you better flavour and more health benefits compared to pre-made powders.
Below is a simple, balanced recipe that works with dairy or plant-based milk. It’s customisable, so you can adjust spices and sweetness to your liking.
| Best Turmeric Chai Latte Recipe ☕ | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
| Water | 1.5 cups | For boiling the spices and tea |
| Black tea (loose or bag) | 2 tsp loose / 2 tea bags | Assam or Ceylon recommended |
| Milk (dairy or plant-based) | 1 cup | Oat, almond, or full cream for creaminess |
| Ground turmeric | 1 tsp | Fresh grated turmeric works too |
| Fresh ginger | ½ tsp (or a few slices) | Ground ginger optional if fresh is unavailable |
| Cinnamon stick | 1 small stick or ½ tsp ground | Adds warmth and sweetness |
| Cardamom pods | 2–3 crushed | Or ¼ tsp ground cardamom |
| Black pepper | Pinch | Boosts turmeric absorption |
| Sweetener (optional) | To taste (e.g. honey/maple) | Add at the end |
| Or replace the above tea prep with Monk's Chai blend | 2 tbsp | Adjust to taste (stronger or milder) |
Easy Recipe with Monk’s Chai Wet Blend
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In a small saucepan, combine Monk’s Chai wet blend, water, and turmeric.
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Simmer for 2–3 minutes on low heat to infuse and activate the turmeric.
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Add milk and a pinch of black pepper. Simmer gently for another 2–3 minutes.
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Strain into a cup using a fine mesh strainer or tea press.
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Sweeten if desired, and serve hot.
Brewing instructions:
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In a saucepan, bring water, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and black pepper to a gentle boil.
Or if you choose Monk’s Chai wet blend mix: In a small saucepan, combine Monk’s Chai wet blend, water, and turmeric.
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Add black tea and simmer for 3 - 5 minutes.
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Pour in milk and simmer for another 3 minutes, stirring gently.
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Strain into a mug, sweeten to taste, and serve warm.
Pro tip: For a frothy café-style finish, blend the final mixture for a few seconds or use a milk frother before serving.
Our ultimate guide: How to make the best cup of tea (steps to brew it right)
Health Benefits of Turmeric Chai Latte
Turmeric chai latte isn’t just a comfort drink - it’s packed with ingredients that have been studied for their health-supporting properties. The combination of turmeric, black tea, and chai spices makes it both enjoyable and functional.
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Anti-inflammatory properties: Curcumin, turmeric’s active compound, has been studied for its ability to reduce inflammation (1)
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Digestive support: Ginger and cinnamon in chai blends can ease bloating and aid digestion (2).
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Mood booster: Some find that a warm, spiced cup offers calming effects, perfect for winding down (3).
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Antioxidant Protection: Curcumin also acts as a potent antioxidant, helping to neutralize free radicals. This benefit is amplified when turmeric is consumed with other chai spices like cinnamon and clove, which are also high in antioxidant (4)
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Blood Sugar Regulation: Cinnamon, another key spice in chai, may help with blood sugar control. Cinnamon consumption can lead to reductions in fasting blood glucose levels, especially in individuals with insulin resistance (5).
Explore more: 16 Amazing Health Benefits of Chai Tea
Golden Chai Variations to Try
Customisation is half the fun. Here are a few popular spins on the classic:
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Caffeine-free version: Skip the tea entirely and make it with just turmeric and spices - aka a true golden milk latte.
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Iced turmeric chai: Perfect for summer. Brew it hot, chill it down, and pour over ice.
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Coconut golden chai: Swap regular milk for coconut milk for a richer, tropical twist.
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Golden chai with espresso (Dirty Golden Latte): Add a shot of espresso for a bold, creamy hybrid.
Explore more: What is dirty chai?
Common Mistakes When Brewing Turmeric Chai
Even good ingredients can fall flat if not brewed right. Here’s what to avoid:
This tiny ingredient boosts turmeric’s effectiveness.
It can turn bitter. Simmer gently instead.
It’s potent—balance is key to avoid a chalky or overly earthy taste.
Nobody likes gritty dregs in their cup.
Where to Shop for the Best Chai Tea in Australia?
(1) Aggarwal BB, Surh YJ and Shishodia S (2007) ‘The Molecular Targets and Therapeutic Uses of Curcumin in Health and Disease’, Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-0-387-46401-5#page=123
(2) Aluwi MFFM, Hug AKMM and Hossain MA (2022) ‘Chapter 15 - Role of turmeric and cinnamon spices in digestive, metabolic, and immune systems’, Nutrition and Functional Foods in Boosting Digestion, Metabolism and Immune Health. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128212325000276
(3) Barwood MJ, Goodall S and Baterman J (2018) ‘The effect of hot and cold drinks on thermoregulation, perception, and performance: the role of the gut in thermoreception’, European Journal of Applied Physiology, 118:2643-2654. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00421-018-3987-8
(4) Ak T and Gülçin I (2007) ‘Antioxidant and radical scavenging properties of cucurcum’, Chemico-Biological Interactions, 174(1):27-37, doi:10.1016/j.cbi.2008.05.003. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0009279708002573
(5) Kirkham S, Akilen R, Sharma S and Tsiami A (2009) ‘The potential of cinnamon to reduce blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance’, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 11(12):1100-1113, doi:10.1111/j.1463-1326.2009.01094.x. https://dom-pubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1463-1326.2009.01094.x