Orange is the new black, it seems.
The advent of the decaf-soy-latte was bad enough for coffee purists to accept. But the newcomer on the barista's repertoire is even worse – it does away with all pretence of being coffee altogether.
Meet the turmeric latte, euphemistically called a "golden latte".
Made from a blend of turmeric and other spices, like cinnamon and pepper, the orange-yellow brew is fast becoming the favoured morning pick-me-up for health aficionados.
Hardcore coffee drinkers can add a shot of caffeine if they need a morning jolt, making what Sage Greenwood, co-founder of Golden Grind (makers of turmeric latte mix) dubs a "dirty golden".
Not surprisingly, the majority of customers prefer their turmeric lattes "clean" (or caffeine-free), she says.
Cafes serving up the brew include Bondi Wholefoods and Manly's Ruby Lane. Expect to pay a little more than your ordinary latte, with prices at those locations ranging from $4.50-$6.
Michael Johnston, head barista at Ruby Lane, says the cafe has had turmeric lattes on its menu since its doors opened in early 2016. At that time, Johnston was making approximately 15 of them a day. In mere months, he says, that figure has soared to "upwards of 50".
"Its popularity is rising really quickly," says Johnston. "The feedback's always really positive."
Greenwood says her turmeric mix now sits on the shelves of over 70 cafes around our country, though her business only launched in late March this year.
Fitness coach Ali Cavill, 30, started sipping on turmeric lattes two years ago. While their health benefits lured her in, it was the taste that hooked her.
"They remind me of a chai latte or crème brulee almost, but without the sweetness," she says.
Cavill opts to have her turmeric lattes with almond milk, making them "less bitter", and "clean", that is, minus caffeine.
Greenwood says the drink is particularly popular among pregnant women, the "caffeine adverse" and those simply searching for another hot drink to add to their repertoire. Her mix contains turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and black pepper.
Turmeric is in vogue for its health giving properties, with Google Food Trends labelling the ancient spice a "rising star" of 2016, with interest in the ingredient growing 56 per cent from November to January this year.
But it's not just the superfood du jour. There is increasing scientific evidence of its benefits.
A study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition in March this year, listed turmeric among the foods that can help prevent chronic inflammation. Long-standing inflammation can play a role in diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
Other studies point to turmeric's potential role in fighting cancer, including a 2003 PubMed review that "suggested curcumin has enormous potential in the prevention and therapy of cancer".
Nutritionist Lyndi Cohen says turmeric's active compound, curcumin, is a natural antioxidant that can help relieve conditions such as osteoarthritis. Other benefits, she says, include helping people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels.
But is it worth giving up your regular latte for?
To access the health benefits, Cohen says you need to ingest approximately 5 grams of turmeric a day. (Greenwood says their turmeric lattes offer "at least 2 gram" per serve of turmeric.)
So, according to Cohen's recommendations, you'd need to sip on at least two (and a bit) turmeric lattes a day.
Furthermore, Cohen says that turmeric is best paired with pepper to increase its bioavailability, with the "ideal" ratio being approximately one quarter of a teaspoon of pepper, to one teaspoon of turmeric.
If you're starting to think it might be easier to consume turmeric in more traditional ways – like adding it to a casserole, curry or meat – Cohen says you're probably right.
But if you're willing to try something new, the frothy drink offers a healthy alternative to keep you warm over winter.
Still not willing to give up your regular flat white? Don't stress.
Says Cohen: "There's only so much a teaspoon of turmeric can do for your health."