Jamu: Indonesia's Wellness Drink
A traditional Indonesian herbal drink concentrate, rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties from fresh ginger and turmeric roots.
Ingredients
- 4 cup water
- 0.5 cup fresh turmeric grated or thinly sliced
- 0.25 cup fresh ginger grated or thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
- Add the grated fresh turmeric and grated fresh ginger to the boiling water.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and concentrate.
- Carefully strain the concentrate through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bottle or jar. Discard the solids.
- Let the Jamu concentrate cool completely before storing it in the refrigerator. It can be stored for up to one week.
- To serve, mix 1 tablespoon of concentrate with 1 cup of hot water for a tea, or 1 cup of cold water and ice for a refreshing drink. Adjust concentration to your taste.
Notes
For a refreshing Jamu spritzer, mix 1 tablespoon of concentrate with 1 cup of cold water and ice, adding a splash of lime juice or tamarind paste to taste. For a soothing hot tea, mix 1 tablespoon with 1 cup of hot water. You can add a pinch of black pepper to enhance turmeric absorption and sweeten with honey or your preferred sweetener. For an indulgent twist, as seen in some Indonesian recipes, cocoa powder can be added to the hot drink for a 'hot cocoa' like experience.