I was asked for the recipe for the Turmeric Hot Chocolate that I posted on Instagram, so here it is.

It’s only recently that I’ve learnt about the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric. It really is powerful stuff. If you do regular exercise, or suffer from stiff joints, it’s well worth considering how turmeric could be incorporated into your diet. My (non-expert) understanding is that tumeric contains curcumin – a natural anti-inflammatory. However, the important thing to know is that curcumin absorbtion is aided massively by piperine. Piperine is found in black pepper, and just a tiny amount is needed.

A quick aside before we get to the recipe. In recent years, my Mum (in her 70s) has been gradually developing stiffness in her hips. Walking for any decent length of time left her very uncomfortable for several days. She figured it was just part of getting old, and was starting to wonder whether at some point she might need a hip replacement. Then she was recommended turmeric. She takes it in capsule form every day, and (I kid you not) the pain, stiffness and discomfort is gone. Gone!

Anyway, hot chocolate. This is an alternative to the Turmeric Latte that I posted about previously. I’ve been doing intense indoor cycle racing on Zwift recently. I find that it leaves my head buzzing with endorphins (making it hard to go to sleep), and my legs tingling after the stress I’ve put them through. The solution? – a nice warm mug of anti-inflammatory, spicy, chocolately, sleepy goodness – turmeric hot chocolate!

So, a recipe. To be honest, it’s not really a recipe, it’s just some hot chocolate with some spices mixed in. But here’s what I do:

• 3 or 4 teaspoons of hot chocolate power. I use Green & Blacks, it’s vegan
  (alternatively just use cocoa/cacao plus some sugar).
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• A pinch of black pepper
• A shake of cinnamon
• A shake of ground ginger
• Soya milk (or other non-dairy alternative)

Then just make it as you would a normal hot chocolate: dry ingredients into a mug, stir in a small amount of milk to make a paste, add milk slowly to avoid lumps and then it goes into the micirowave for 2 minutes 20 seconds. Enjoy!