Turmeric has been having a moment for about four thousand years. Long before it became the main character of every "golden latte" on your TikTok FYP, it was already deep in the kitchens, ceremonies and traditional remedy cabinets of some of the oldest civilisations on earth.
So when we built Recover, our blood orange and ginger sparkling CBD drink, turmeric was first on the recipe list.
What is turmeric, actually?
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a root in the ginger family, native to South Asia. Its signature golden colour comes from a group of natural compounds called curcuminoids, the most well-known being curcumin.
In Recover, we use a turmeric extract, a more concentrated form of the root than what you'd grate into a stir-fry, paired with piperine (the active compound in pink pepper). The traditional pairing of turmeric and pepper has been part of South Asian cooking for centuries for increased absorption.
A root with serious history
Turmeric isn't a wellness trend. It's a wellness original.
Archaeological digs in northern India have found traces of turmeric on cooking pots dating back to around 2500 BCE, meaning people in the Indus Valley were already using it before most of recorded history got going. From there, its story spans continents and cultures:
In Ayurveda
Ayurveda is the the traditional system of medicine that originated in India over 3,000 years ago. Turmeric (known as haldi) became one of the most documented botanicals in the entire tradition, a regular feature in everyday cooking, daily rituals, and traditional herbal preparations.
Traditional Chinese herbal practice
Turmeric (jiang huang) has been recorded in herbal texts going back more than a thousand years.
Ancient Egypt
Turmeric appears in references to dyeing and embalming, a nod to its remarkable staying power, both as a pigment and a cultural staple.
South and Southeast Asia
Turmeric is woven into wedding ceremonies, blessings, religious rituals and family kitchens. The haldi ceremony, where turmeric paste is gently applied to a bride and groom before their wedding, is still practised today.
Buddhist monks have used turmeric to dye their saffron-coloured robes for centuries — the colour you recognise instantly, even if you didn't know the source.
What's striking is that all of these civilisations, separated by oceans, languages and millennia, independently arrived at turmeric. They cooked with it, lived with it, and folded it into the daily rhythm of life.
Leaning into the lived knowledge of our ancestors is grounding. They understood long before lab studies and supplement aisles, that nature has a tremendous power to help us feel like ourselves.
Modern wellness can sometimes feel like a brand-new invention, but a lot of it is genuinely ancient. Turmeric is a perfect example: a root passed down through generations, kitchens, and continents, finally finding its way into a chilled can of blood orange and ginger fizz.
Turmeric and Recover
While turmeric is the hero of this story, Recover doesn't stop there. A host of vitamins and minerals have been added to aid recovery and immunity:
- Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system, and contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Useful after a workout, useful on a Monday, useful generally.
- Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system and to the maintenance of normal muscle function. Particularly relevant in the UK, where most of us aren't exactly rolling in sunshine.
- Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system and to normal protein synthesis, which supports your body's normal recovery processes.
One can, chilled, when you need it. That's it.
Commonly asked questions
Is turmeric the same as curcumin?
Not quite. Turmeric is the whole root; curcumin is one of its active compounds. Turmeric extracts (like the one in Recover) contain a higher concentration of curcuminoids than the powder in your spice rack.
Why is turmeric paired with black or pink pepper?
It's a traditional culinary pairing that's been used for centuries in South Asian cooking. Recover uses pink pepper extract for that same classic combination.
How long have people been using turmeric?
Around 4,000 years, based on archaeological evidence from the Indus Valley, making it one of the oldest cultivated plants still in everyday use today.
When should I drink Recover?
Whenever suits you. Post-gym, post-spin, post-long-walk, or just post-Monday. Serve chilled.
Does turmeric have caffeine?
No. Recover is caffeine-free.
