flipHot Ginger and Turmeric Infusion
Hot Ginger and Turmeric Infusion
Why this dish? Rich suffered from rheumatoid arthritis—her typical objects include antirheumatic medications. A hot ginger infusion, reputed to soothe painful joints, plausibly accompanies the long writing evenings of a woman with hands worn by pain.
A bright, warming infusion of fresh ginger and turmeric, sweetened with honey or maple, brightened with lemon. A comforting, simple, soothing drink.
My hands, some evenings, would no longer hold the pen—the pain in my joints was an old companion. I'd then steep fresh ginger, quite sharp, with a squeeze of lemon and a spoonful of honey. It cures nothing, I'm not fooled, but the warmth in my palms and throat returned me to my notebooks. Drink it slowly, both hands around the cup.
- •Fresh ginger — a piece (warming root)
- •Honey — a spoonful (sweetness)
- •Lemon — a wedge (acidity)
- •Boiling water — one cup (infusion)
Hot Ginger and Turmeric Infusion
A bright, warming infusion of fresh ginger and turmeric, sweetened with honey or maple, brightened with lemon. A comforting, simple, soothing drink.
Why this dish? Rich suffered from rheumatoid arthritis—her typical objects include antirheumatic medications. A hot ginger infusion, reputed to soothe painful joints, plausibly accompanies the long writing evenings of a woman with hands worn by pain.
My hands, some evenings, would no longer hold the pen—the pain in my joints was an old companion. I'd then steep fresh ginger, quite sharp, with a squeeze of lemon and a spoonful of honey. It cures nothing, I'm not fooled, but the warmth in my palms and throat returned me to my notebooks. Drink it slowly, both hands around the cup.
Ingredients (period version)
- Fresh ginger — a piece (warming root)
- Honey — a spoonful (sweetness)
- Lemon — a wedge (acidity)
- Boiling water — one cup (infusion)
Ingredients
- Fresh ginger — 2 cm, thinly sliced (warming root)
- Fresh grated turmeric (or 1/2 tsp powder) — 1 cm (soothing root)
- Honey or maple syrup — 1 tsp (sweetness)
- Lemon juice — 1/2 lemon (acidity)
- Water — 300 ml (infusion)
- Black pepper — 1 pinch (enhances turmeric absorption)
Method
- Bring water to a simmer with ginger and turmeric.
- Let steep covered for 8-10 minutes on very low heat.
- Strain into a cup, add lemon juice, honey, and a pinch of pepper.
- Stir and drink very hot, holding the cup with both hands.
How it was made : Ginger has been used for centuries as a folk remedy for pain and chills. In the 20th century, these homemade infusions remained a common domestic comfort, alongside official medicine, especially for relieving chronic discomfort.
The contemporary twist : A touch of turmeric and pepper transforms the tisane into a dairy-free 'golden milk'—golden color in the cup, perfect for winter evenings.
Sources : Hilary Holladay, The Power of Adrienne Rich: A Biography, 2020 (health and arthritis) · Tradition of ginger home remedies
Adrienne Rich · Charactorium
