A Winter Warming Concoction: Ginger, Turmeric, Cinnamon & Pear

This is my absolute favourite drink for crisp winter days, and my go-to remedy the moment I feel a cold coming on. This particular combination of ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and pear creates a beautifully warming and nourishing drink that's both a comforting ritual and a powerhouse of goodness.

Think of this recipe as a starting point. Feel free to experiment with what you have in your fridge – swap the pear for apple, add a slice of lemon or orange for a citrusy lift, or introduce other aromatics like star anise or a few cloves. Enjoy the process of making it your own!

The Power of Your Ingredients

Let's look at what makes this concoction so special. Each ingredient brings its own unique benefits to the cup.

• Fresh Ginger: A true hero in the world of spices, ginger is renowned for its ability to soothe an upset stomach, combat nausea and ease a sore throat. It contains gingerol, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it a wonderful support for your immune system.

• Fresh Turmeric: This vibrant root owes its golden colour to curcumin, a potent compound that is one of the most effective natural anti-inflammatories available. It's a fantastic ingredient for supporting overall wellness. (Just be mindful when handling it, as it loves to stain everything it touches!)

• Cinnamon Stick: More than just a flavouring, cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants and has well-documented anti-inflammatory effects. It adds a comforting, sweet warmth to the drink and helps your body fight off infections.

• Whole Black Peppercorns: This is turmeric's essential partner! Black pepper contains piperine, a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin. Including even a few peppercorns ensures your body can fully access the benefits of the turmeric.

• Pear (skin on): Pears provide a gentle, natural sweetness to the drink. By leaving the skin on, you're getting a fantastic dose of fibre and a high concentration of antioxidants, which are crucial for protecting your cells from damage.

Ingredients

•About an inch (2-3 cm) of fresh ginger, grated or thinly sliced.

•About an inch (2-3 cm) of fresh turmeric, grated or thinly sliced (be careful, it stains!).

•1 cinnamon stick.

•A few whole black peppercorns.

•1 pear, washed and sliced—leave the skin on, as that's where many of the antioxidants are!

•3-4 cups of water.

Method:

1. Combine the pear slices, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon stick, and peppercorns in a small saucepan with the water.

2. Bring to a gentle simmer—not a rolling boil. High heat can destroy some benefits, so gentle is key.

3. Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. The pear will become soft and infuse the water with its sweetness.

4. Transfer into a mug. You can eat the sliced ginger and turmeric or the pear slices—they're delicious and full of fiber that's great for your gut microbes.

5.You can add a splash of lemon or honey