Remember the time when, the moment you got a slight flu or took ill, your mother would turn to traditional remedies, and thrust a piping hot glass of haldi doodh onto you?
Well, that drink is now available in cafes and restaurants in and around Goa – with a slight twist – it’s now called Golden Milk or Turmeric Latte, and you might be shocked to learn that restaurants get quite a few customers who order it.
This World Milk Day (June 1), we take a trip to these cafes in Goa to find out why Turmeric Lattes, that are typically priced between Rs 100 and Rs 150, are trending in the State.
Manuel Smith who lives in the UK and was in Goa for a vacation fell in love with golden milk and would order it at restaurants and cafes he visited.
Moms know what is best for their kids, and when they fall ill, haldi doodh is the answer.
“I never knew about the turmeric milk, until a year ago, when I fell sick and an Indian lady who lived in the UK made it for me. I try to drink it whenever I feel unwell. So, this year, I decided to travel to India and I’ve been drinking this magic milk almost every alternate day,” says Manuel.
Well, it is the same turmeric milk which is considered a remedy for curing a sore throat, fever, body aches and pains, and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Yogesh Soni, owner of The Coffee Concept, in Calangute, has been serving turmeric latte since 2022.
“The reason for having Turmeric Latte on the menu is because of Covid. This haldi doodh is all the rage abroad, in countries like America and the UK. And, since people are realising its benefits, we decided to bring this concept here,” says Yogesh.
He adds, “This is one of the hit drinks among tourists who visit the cafe. After days of drinking and smoking, they want to get back to health living, and order this drink.”
The Flour Mill, a café in Morjim, known for its coffees, also serves Turmeric Latte, which is quite popular in the cafe.
“We get both young and old, who like to try out the lattes. Post the Covid scene, people have been taking their health seriously,” says Abhishek, from the Flour Mill.
Moms know what is best for their kids, and when they fall ill, haldi doodh is the answer. Mommy and entrepreneur, Andrea Mascarenhas, who runs an ice-cream parlour, called Sweet Escape, in Mangor, also prepares haldi doodh for her customers.
“As a mother, I have realised the importance of haldi doodh and I realised that there are mothers out there who would also want to give their kids the same. There are many mothers who order this from me. I add a couple of almonds to it, so that the drink doesn’t taste too bad, yet is healthy.”
Giving this traditional recipe a little, modern twist, adding innovative names, and making it fancy-schmancy, is attracting customers, especially since post-COVID, many have taken up healthy lifestyles.