Quick and Easy Jamu - a traditional medicinal drink from Bali

If you have ever been to Bali the chances are you have tried Jamu, a lovely turmeric and ginger infused drink that is good for your immunity and health.   Cafes and street stalls alike offer this refreshing and healthy turmeric based drink.

The weather is turning cooler in Australia. Although Autumn has just started soon there will be winter diseases spreading and the better equipped our bodies are to deal with germs the better off we will be.

This is the wikipedia explanation of jamu.  Here is my friend Karen's recipe for Jamu and she makes an excellent, delicious version.   This is absolutely beautiful but last night I wanted to make some and did not have any fresh turmeric on hand so I created an 'instant' version which is also amazing.

Karen's JAMU
200 – 250 grams grated or finely chopped fresh Tumeric
200 - 250 grams grated or finely chopped fresh Ginger
2 heaped Tablespoons Tamarind Paste – or if no Tamarind paste you can use lemon juice or lime juice. Probably juice of 3.
2 ½ ltrs water - approx
2 teaspoons or so of ground black pepper
2 heaped tablespoons of honey
Put it all except the honey into a large saucepan or boiler and Boil in pot for at least 30 mins – (I will do it for say 45mins.)
Cool then strain and stir in honey.

Bottle up and it keeps for a couple of weeks in the fridge quite well.
(Tip – if you are grating –then wear some gloves – your fingers will be orange for at least a day otherwise)     Enjoy K

Just look at the beautiful colour of this turmeric and ginger Jamu drink.

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Quick Jamu

1 tablespoon organic dried turmeric

2 small knobs of fresh ginger about 5cm each, peeled and finely chopped

A few grinds of black pepper

2 tablespoons tamarind puree

1/3 cup raw, organic honey

1 litre water

Place the turmeric, ginger, pepper and water into a pan and bring to a boil then lower heat and simmer with lid on for 15 minutes.    Add tamarind puree and cook for another 5 minutes.  Turn off heat and add honey to your taste - between 1/3 - 1/2 cup.

Let cool, then strain into a bottle and refrigerate.

This will last about a week in the fridge.  

Drink at least 150ml daily for maximum health benefits.

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What is your best defence against winter germs?
Do you have a go to tonic to boost your immunity?

Buon appetito, enjoy Merryn xx