Tumeric Bug For Soda
Tumeric. Spicy. Yellowish-orange. Used to flavor most Indian foods such as curry. And now turmeric is being hailed as ‘pain relieving’ spice. But did you know that turmeric has also been shown to help ward off heart attack in bypass patientss? Tumeric has also been studied as a relief for heartburn and settle an upset stomach. Cucurmin, the ingredient in Tumeric “interferes with several important molecular pathways involved in cancer development, growth and spread,” according to the American Cancer Society, even killing cancer cells in the lab setting and shrinking tumors and boosting the effects of chemotherapy in animals. And now there is evidence that another ingredient in Tumeric, ar-tumerone, can even protect the brain!
With all the research and data touting the healing properties of the spice, getting more turmeric in your diet sounds like a healthy reason to make a fizzy, sweet spicy drink, very similar to ginger ale. Tumeric bug is easy. Simple ingredients, cane sugar, turmeric root, and water. Peppercorns bring out more of the benefits and make them more digestible in the body. A turmeric bug does require a little bit of time and feeding, but the results are definitely worth it!
A ‘bug’ is a name for soda starter. That’s right, homemade soda like ginger ale turmeric bug, to get great benefits and flavor in a fizzy soda! You control the sugar. There are no unhealthy additives or unpronounceable ingredients. Just cane sugar and real tumiric. I also like to add some ginger just for the taste.
Tumeric Bug
2 cups filtered or distilled water, warm enough to dissolve the sugar
1 cup cane sugar to begin, about 2 cups total
4-5 ‘thumbs’ of turmeric root, one or two roots to begin, add more later
1-2 thumbs fresh ginger, add more to taste
A few peppercorns, about 12-15
1 Fido jar or mason jar
Scrub the turmeric and ginger. You can leave the peel on if you want, but I like to peel both and add it to my glass of soda, so that I can get that sharp ‘bite’ from the spice in each root. I lightly peel about a thumb’s worth. Chop to about ½” pieces, then grate in a coffee or herb grinder or grater.
Add 1 cup sugar to 2 cups water. You may have to heat the water slightly on the stove to get the sugar dissolved. Let it cool before adding other ingredients.
Add the grated turmeric and ginger to the jar along with the peppercorns. Put the lid and gasket on and give it a good shake. Place the jar in a somewhat warm place, not hot or in direct sunlight.
Every day for the next two weeks, add 1 or 2 teaspoons of grated turmeric and ginger and 1 teaspoon sugar. Stir or shake. After a few days you should see bubbles when you shake the jar. When it gets a nice fizz, you can make your soda! I like it with fresh pineapple lemonade or herbal tea. It has a kick and really tastes good. And it’s a great way to kick that commercial soda habit! Fill a glass 2/3 full with ice and lemonade or juice, and add about ¼ cup of the turmeric bug. Stir and enjoy!
