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 merely an approximation. Optional ingredients are not included and when there is an alternative, the primary ingredient is typically used. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts since they have been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
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!
Adrienne, I’ve wanted to put in an order to Mountain Rose for the longest time to try this recipe…now that I’ve read this article on coffee and pesticides I think the time to quit drinking coffee has come!
https://www.nrdc.org/health/farming/ccc/chap4.asp
Maybe we could drink organic only? I just can’t have the caffeine! Sorry for replying late – I am trying to catch up and missed a bunch of comments!
Wow! this is sooo good! I have been hoping for a substitute for coffee and this is it. I was so excited when I first made it that I just brewed the chicory and dandelion root as I normally would brew my coffee – only 8oz of water! It tasted so good but it was a bit….moving, if you know what I mean! LOL. But it was worth every trip to the bathroom that day and the next! Thanks!
So glad to hear it!
I’ve been cutting down on coffee by brewing up a mixture of roasted dandelion root and real coffee, for a few years now. (And I have to admit to liking a teaspoon of honey it it…. 🙂 )
Another way to spice it up is to add a sprinkle of cardamon – they add this to the strong black coffee in the Middle East, and it goes very well. Try it!
Hmmm…Might have to go try the cardamom now :).
I have moderate adrenal fatigue which I am working on overcoming and healing. I do have to say that sometimes coffee sounds better than herbal tea… but I can’t drink coffee, even decaffeinated coffee. So I have found that Pero with carob powder, stevia, raw milk and homemade vanilla extract tastes divine. I can’t have chocolate, especially raw cacao because of the theobromine… so that is why I use carob. Once healed my doctor says he thinks I will be able to start eating chocolate again, which is good, since I have an awesome recipe for homemade chocolate with raw cacao, coconut oil, honey, etc.
You can still use the carob to make the chocolate recipe–please share :)!
Hey, this sounds wonderful! Do you think this would steep well in a normal tea bag?
Yes, I do.
Adrienne – I was so glad to see this recipe for coffee substitute. I am recovering from adrenal fatigue, mild dysbiosis, mild candida, with several food sensitivities/intolerances, and have been off-and-on with coffee for a couple of years. I went cold-turkey off of both coffee and chocolate when I started having a lot of heart flutters/palps, a few weeks ago. Anyway, when I read about your recipe, I bought a bag of roasted dandelion and chicory root (expensive!!)right away. The first day, I swilled down at least two large mugs, and was so happy. The second day, my stomach was upset, and after researching, found that dandelion can produce excess acid in the stomach. So I made some with just the chicory and couldn’t understand why I was so sluggish and tired (that darned being off coffee!!), and researched that chicory is a sedative!! So, just beware in case anyone else has these reactions. I am so sad, because this was a delicious substitute, that unfortunately won’t work for me. 🙁
Very interesting and disconcerting. I will have to think about this. My understanding is that dandelion root is super good for the liver but I will check into this…..Thanks for sharing.
By the way, Barb, I am for sure no doctor, but I have read over and over that as we age there is less stomach acid so that part doesn’t really give me too much concern at all. But I will look into the chicory. Thanks again! Maybe if you read my post on rosacea you will see what I mean. One of the health bloggers whom I respect a bunch, Divine Health from the Inside Out, says so many people are deficient in stomach acid.
Check out Dandyblend too… It’s super good. https://www.amazon.com/Dandy-Blend-Singles-25-pack/dp/B000W9QLDY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1362239671&sr=8-4&keywords=dandy+blend many local stores carry it here.
I like that but it’s a little pricey :).
I drink a glass every morning and sometimes one in the afternoon. I bought a tea ball and it works great. Thanks for the recipe!
Jess
Great idea!!! Thanks!
Would this work in the K-Cup basket (where you fill your own coffee/tea in)?? I got rid of our “traditional” coffee pot and don’t have a French Press.
I don’t see why not – let us know!
do you roast the chicory and dandelion? Or do they come roasted? How do you roast them if you have to do it?
I think I wrote this in the post. I buy the chicory roasted and the dandelion not b/c it is a fortune to buy roasted. Check the post and LMK. 🙂