Rich and Delicious Coffee Substitute
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This Homemade Coffee Substitute is just the thing if you're wanting to ditch caffeine, or just want a cuppa in the evening. It not only tastes great, but it's seriously good for you and is so easy to make.
I've also updated this recipe with a method that makes this likely the least expensive coffee alternative out there!
Why bother with a coffee substitute, and a homemade coffee substitute at that, when the real thing tastes so good?
For folks without health challenges, coffee can be a healthy choice, but for anyone with candida or adrenal issues or thyroid disease, coffee can be a real problem due to it being a stimulant.
If that's you, or if you'd like to get off of coffee for some other reason, this is a naturally caffeine-free alternative that tastes great and is good for you as well.
There are just two ingredients in this super simple substitute (well, three, if you include the water). It's that simple.
Not only are you avoiding the caffeine that can be a problem for so many people, but you are also getting the wonderful health benefits of dandelion root. Dandelion roots are great for liver health.
And yes, if you really feel adventurous, you don't have to purchase dandelion roots pre-cut, dried and roasted. You can dig them out of your backyard, clean them well, chop, and roast them yourself! Don't think I'll be doing that anytime soon, but it's an option.
My Love of Coffee
I used to drink TONS of coffee and the habit got particularly bad when I worked on a stock options trading floor just after coming back from living overseas in Japan for a year.
Somehow (long story), I ended up working as a trading assistant, en route to becoming an options trader on the floor of the Philadelphia Options Exchange. Later on, I landed a teaching position at the Chicago Board of Options Exchange instead, but that's another story.
Anyhow, the jobs were tough. Early mornings and a very tough environment at times and I leaned heavily on coffee.
Loads of it with loads of milk and saccharine.
Not a good idea.
In fact, I remember literally drinking 2 REALLY big cups of the stuff just to get me going in the morning, and I do mean REALLY big.
Getting Off of Coffee
Years later, when my adrenal and thyroid issues came to a head, I needed to change things, and coffee needed to go.
One thing that really helped was having another great tasting option that I could have every morning instead of that “cup of Joe.”
I recommend going off of coffee gradually instead of cold turkey. Try replacing 1/4 of your coffee with this substitute for 3 days in a row, then 1/2 for 3 days, then 3/4, and then, you're done!
So that need to quit plus my frugal ways were the birth of this homemade coffee substitute.
My Favorite Way to Enjoy Coffee Substitute
You can of course doctor this up or not as you desire, but here's how I love to drink it.
- 1 cup of this Coffee Substitute.
- Top with Homemade Coconut Milk.
- 1 scoop of stevia (read this post on How to Use Stevia)
- A squirt of liquid stevia (one I like is KAL Caramel Cream or you can also try making your own Homemade Liquid Stevia).
- 1/4 to 1 teaspoon cocoa or carob.
- Dash of salt (I recommend Real Salt).
- 1 tablespoon of collagen powder for added protein.
- About 1 teaspoon coconut oil.
This is just SO delicious! I drink at least 2 1/2 cups of this every single morning.
I used to use a medium grind and made this using my French press, but I've since updated the post so you really don't need to use a press if you don't want to bother with that.
Dairy-Alternatives for This Coffee Substitute
- Easiest Almond Milk
- Homemade Rice Milk
- DIY Vanilla Liquid Stevia
- DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice (for the makings of a Pumpkin Latte)
- Dairy-free Pumpkin Spice Creamer
Recipe Notes and Substitutions
- Roasted Dandelion Root: Initially I was using plain (not roasted) dandelion root, and my coffee alternative tasted just fine, but it is so much richer with the roasted roots. I have no idea why I wasn't doing this from the start! Today was my first day with really rich coffee substitute, and boy did it taste great!
You can purchase roasted dandelion root or just roast in the oven on a cookie sheet until nicely browned. Often I just toast it in a pan over a medium-low heat, but you have to really watch it. It starts to burn easily…not that I've ever done that. Wink. - Coconut Milk: I love topping my coffee substitute with freshly-made Homemade Coconut Milk. Of course, I'll also use the milk that's already been made, but when it's freshly made, it has a wonderful frothy topping that reminds me of frothed milk. For more details, please see my post on Easiest Homemade Coconut Milk.
- Ice Cubes: When I pour my first cup, it is super hot. Just drop 1-2 ice cubes in your mug before pouring in your coffee substitute and you can enjoy right away!
- Filtered Water: For best taste and health, please use filtered water. See my post, Is Your Water Safe?
Variations
If you like flavoring your “coffee”, the following are some great options for you:
- Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon to your press along with the chicory and dandelion roots. If you don't have a press then add it to the pot and simmer with the grounds.
- I love sweetening my coffee substitute with a scoop (1/32 of a teaspoon – that's all it takes!) of stevia extract and then topping it off with a little flavored liquid stevia. Right now my favorite is Sweetleaf's hazelnut. Sweetleaf's English Toffee and French Vanilla are also really nice! Puzzled about stevia? I recommend NuNaturals, but I have heard great things about Sweetleaf's as well. (Tip: don't be daunted by the price – a little goes a LONG way.)
- Of course, a bit of carob or cocoa powder is nice too. I used to put a 1/2 tablespoon or 1 tablespoon roasted carob powder into the french press. What a rich tasting treat!
I so hope you enjoy this and that it helps you in your quest to break yourself from the caffeine habit. Your adrenals will thank you.
Rich and Delicious Coffee Substitute
Ingredients
- 3/4 teaspoon roasted chicory root finely ground: or more, to taste
- 3/8 – 1/2 teaspoon roasted dandelion root finely ground: or more, to taste
- 32 – 35 ounces water (about 4 cups, plus a little) (preferably filtered)
Instructions
French Press Directions
- Bring water to a boil.
- Put chicory and dandelion root in the press.
- Add water to french press.
- Let stand for at least 4 minutes.
- Depress plunger slowly.
- Add some sweetener of choice – I use stevia plus a dash of salt, Coconut Milk, plus a little coconut oil and some cocoa.
- Enjoy!
Non-French Press Directions
- Place water, chicory root and dandelion root in a pot.
- Boil and simmer for 2-10 minutes.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer, if needed, and serve.
Notes
-
- Roasted Dandelion Root: Using non-roasted dandelion root can work, but this recipe is so much richer with the roasted roots.
You can purchase roasted dandelion root or just roast in the oven on a cookie sheet until nicely browned. You can also toast it in a pan over a medium-low heat, but you have to really watch it as it can burn easily.
- Roasted Dandelion Root: Using non-roasted dandelion root can work, but this recipe is so much richer with the roasted roots.
-
- Coconut Milk: You can use any coconut milk that you like, but freshly-made Homemade Coconut Milk is the best, or you can use a milk frother before adding your coconut milk if you'd like.
- Filtered Water: For best taste and health, please use filtered water.
- Updated Less Expensive Recipe: Originally, this recipe called for a lot more chicory and dandelion root, I've found that when it's finely ground, you can use a lot less of both ingredients and still get great flavor and you save a ton of money this way! I often don't need to strain it either so it's easier this way as well. Depending on how fine your dandelion and chicory are ground, you might need more of each and might need to strain it a bit.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and preparation methods. Optional ingredients are not included. Net carbs are typically calculated by subtracting fiber and sugar alcohols (such as erythritol) from total carbohydrates. This information should not be relied upon for medical or nutritional purposes.
Where to Buy Coffee Substitute
If you don't feel like making your own Homemade Coffee Substitute or just don't have the ingredients right now, here are some great alternatives.
Dandy Blend
Dandy Blend is a great cold or hot instant coffee substitute that's also loaded with the goodness of dandelion (hence the name). It's great for travel when you might not have access to hot water or a stove. It's a tad cheaper on Iherb, plus you should get a discount using that link.
Sip Herbals
Sip Herbals has both plain and lovely flavored options of herbal coffee substitutes. Choose from Salted Caramel to Dirty Chai, Mocha, or plain to suit your taste, or try all of them in the Sampler Pack!
Do you plan to stop drinking coffee?
Let's encourage each other to kick the caffeine habit!
Thx! I just printed this off to try! Just today, my sister-in-law taught me to use a spoonful of unsulphured blackstrap molasses in a cup of boiling water. Who would have ever thought to do that! It looks just like coffee. We added a little half-in-half. It was really delicious and we were pretty happy that we got a dose of calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, folate, potassium, manganese, zinc…need I go on!
You’re welcome! Hope you like it! Nice molasses tip. I know it’s quite good for you.
1 teaspoon or tablespoon
I don’t know if I’d like this. Trader Joes has a coffee blend with chicory and I HATED it!
Never tried it. I’d be interested in hearing what you think!
I have given up a lot of things but never coffee 🙂
Blog question. Do you use a WP plugin for your recipes. Not fond of the one I’m trying.
Hi Jill. If you mean the “Printable” function it’s called “Print This.” I like it – there are some others I’ve seen in action that I like a little better, but no time to change it right now :-).
I love coffee and I’m going through such a rough time now without it. I am pregnant so I limited it to a cup per week.
Instead of coffee I drink a lot of INKA. It’s a Polish drink that taste almost like coffee but without that strong taste and scent:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inka_%28beverage%29
In America you can buy in online or from your European local store (if you have one). You should try it.
I would be very interested in this but I would need to know the ingredients since I am off of gluten and a lot of these drinks have gluten from barley. Thanks for the suggestion!
it’s got: chicory, roasted barley, rye, sugar beet in it.
Oh well – guess I need to stick with my formula :-(.
too bad. it’s really delicious!
That’s such an interesting idea, and nice that it is good for you too! I gave up caffeine for about six months a few years ago, and I really missed it. It’s amazing how much we depend on it!
Hi April. Yes, it was a real toughy for me. Made me feel like I really had an addiction. In fact, it really is. I am trying now to learn that when I am tired I need to listen to my body :-).
I don’t think I can ever give up my coffee; I’m pretty satisfied keeping it to a minimum. Good job thinking of a great substitute, though! And thanks for linking up to Healthy 2Day Wednesday!
Hi Anne! I wouldn’t have given it up if I didn’t have too. Love it. Thanks for stopping by! :-).
This is a great recipe.
I found a pound of organic roasted chicory root for only $9.00 at mountainroseherbs.com. I buy all my herbs there since they are so reasonable and organic!
I drank lots of roasted dandelion this summer (I’ve had more of a chai craving this winter 😉 If possible I put out the dandelion and water in a pot the night before then in the morning I would slowly simmer it for about 20min to a few hours. This way I’m not only getting a great coffee replacement but I’m also getting the liver-loving benefits of dandelion root. A cold water soak and slow simmer are ideal for getting the inulin out of the root.
Hi Rachel, are you soaking the roasted granules? And do you get a sweeter drink as a result of getting the inulin out?
I am soaking the roasted granules. Most recently I’ve used dried dandelion root from Frontier although the pieces are larger than the roasted dandelion I got from Mountain Rose Herbs (and not quite as tasty as MRH). I don’t know that it changes much with the flavor but then I’ve only ever made it on the stove top letting it simmer for at least a few minutes. I’m eager to get some chicory and add that in to see how it changes the flavor. Buying a pound of each makes a lot of beverage and is way cheaper than the Teechino or DandyBlend I’ve used before.
Thanks for the info, Rachel – I’ll have to check out MR Herbs too. Frontier’s prices have been great. The roasted dandelion root from Frontier is more expensive but the granules have a really rich flavor and they are much smaller than the unroasted. I was grinding / chopping mine until I bought the roasted by mistake :-).
I forgot to ask. Do you think you could run this through an automatic coffee pot? Or, does it have to steep directly in the hot water?
Yes, Pam – you can. I will say, however, that you may need to play with the measurements and add some extra since the french press makes the “coffee” richer. Thanks for asking. If you try it I’d like to know because I don’t have a coffee maker anymore. Actually, maybe I do still have my old one and a filter or two – I’ll see and maybe give it a try!