Whew. Just made it with this month’s Recipe ReDux challenge to design a healthier beverage. After seeing Sandor Katz talk on The Art of Fermentation this Friday night in Melbourne, I had high hopes of bringing you kefir. But I kinda forgot that the main ingredient in fermenting is something I didn’t have much of this weekend……time. So I went with the other hot nutrition buzz word on my radar – fresh turmeric.
Turmeric is hotting up
We’ve long known about the potential health benefits of dried turmeric spice. The active ingredient curcurmin has been widely studied and supported by reputable health groups as a potential (but yet to be confirmed) anti-cancer fighter. Epidemiological evidence from curry eating nations shows promise with Alzheimer’s Disease prevention and in the lab it slows the growth of cancer cells. But according to this 2014 paper more research is needed to understand the bioavailability from supplements and certainly claims of a “cancer cure” are premature. That’s why I’m pleased to see a focus on whole, fresh turmeric in juices, curries and cooking. Good Food dubs turmeric to be a hot flavour in culinary circles in 2014 so look out for it on hot and spicy menus about town.
According to Michael of Georgie’s Harvest at South Melbourne Market, “Fresh turmeric is very popular with people undergoing chemotherapy. Last year I was selling 1Kg/month and now it’s 3Kg/week with typically a 10-12g piece going into a single serve, daily juice”. Georgie’s Harvest is able to source fresh turmeric all year round as the growing seasons in tropical Northern Territory and Northern Queensland overlap. (Thanks for the lesson in your cold pressed juice maker Michael – read our post on the cold pressed craze here).
So as my Summer tomatoes are overripe and ready, backyard herbs are abundant and Georgie’s Harvest had the freshest looking bunch of baby carrots, I decided to get juicy with it. And calling it a “tonic” is an old marketing trick to entice other readers, just that little bit more. I added a garnish of basil and kale (the only stalk not eaten by the snails) just cos it’s ever so hip and happening right now too. And headed out onto the deck with the Sunday papers.
Turmeric Tomato Tonic
Juice 3 baby carrots, 5 small over ripe tomatoes, 10g piece of fresh turmeric. Add fresh herbs to your liking. Enjoy your weekend lovelies and the other Reduxers drinks.
