How to Make a Healthy and Tasty Fermented Turmeric Soda
Turmeric is a delicious spice as well as a very potent medicine. Incorporating turmeric into your diet can help with a wide-range of ailments and illnesses, and we’ve discussed the benefits in the past. However, making a soda from turmeric and a few other, common ingredients is one of the best and most-delicious ways to give your body a nutritional boost. Best of all, it can be stored over the long-term, and you can make it without having access to a full kitchen. Consequently, it’s a great recipe to have on hand during a period of prolonged self-sufficiency.
First Thing’s First
Before you can make the soda, you need to develop a starter culture in order to be able to kick-off the fermentation process. In this case, the starter comes from a fresh piece of turmeric root. This is probably the only drawback to this recipe as turmeric root isn’t always easy to find in grocery stores. However, once you get your hands on a piece of root, with the skin on, you can start putting this recipe together.
Making the Starter
You don’t need a lot of root, just about a tablespoon worth. It’s essential that you use root with the skin on, because it contains the compounds necessary for fermentation. Add the grated root, along with a teaspoon of non-refined sugar, into a mason jar. Pour in 3 tablespoons of filtered water that does not have any chlorine, and stir until everything is mixed together evenly.
Place a piece of cheesecloth or thin fabric atop the jar and clamp it down with a rubber band. Put the jar in a dark location and let it rest for about 24 hours. Add another round of ingredients and water and repeat. Do the same for about four days or until you start to notice the mixture starting to bubble and the liquid begin to separate. Once it’s frothy and bubbly, you can use it as a starter for your soda.
Ingredients for the Soda
6 inches worth of sliced turmeric root
1 inch of sliced ginger root
½ – ¾ cup of turmeric starter
1 tablespoon of whole peppercorns
1 cup of non-refined sugar
Approximately 2 quarts of filtered or distilled water
Putting Everything Together
Combine the water, turmeric, peppercorns and ginger into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally in order to let the ingredients steep. Remove from heat when finished and let it cool until it’s safe to pour into a gallon mason jar without cracking it. You can also heat the jar ahead of time in order save some time.
Strain the liquid from the solids and pour into the jar. Make sure to leave a few inches of headspace in order to provide room for the gases that will form to expand without creating too much pressure once capped. Cover the jar with a cloth and let it cool to room temperature.
Next, remove the cover and add in the turmeric starter, but save a tablespoon or two if you want to keep regenerating the starter for future batches. Cover the jar with cloth again, tighten with the rubber band and let it rest for about four more days. However, the fermentation time may be shorter in warmer climates. Make sure that you store the jar in a dark place again. Once it is frothy on top, strain the liquid once again to remove as many particles as possible and pour the soda into appropriate glass bottles with latched seals. Store in a cool and dry place until ready to drink.
This soda is a mix of sweet with some bite to it, and it is something that has been used medicinally in various parts of the world for ages. Try it for yourself, and don’t be surprised if you start to enjoy some of its medicinal benefits, especially if you drink it on a regular basis.
