3 Best Herbal Coffee Alternatives, How to Prepare Them, And How To Get The Best Results
3 Best Herbal Coffee Alternatives, How to Prepare Them, And How To Get The Best Results
We've all been hearing the buzz lately about herbal coffee. At Zhi Herbals, we're no strangers to herbal tea and coffee substitutes, so we've come up with a list of our favorite herbal coffee alternatives and numerous ways to make them at home.
1. Roasted Chicory Root
With its rich flavour and the flexibility to enjoy with or without coffee beans, roasted chicory root is our first-choice coffee (and caffeine-free) alternative. When mixed with coffee beans, chicory gives coffee a slightly sweet, earthy, and bitter taste that is perfect for those who want to reduce their coffee consumption. Chicory root is a common coffee ingredient in New Orleans and can be a great choice to reduce your coffee consumption when transitioning to herbal alternatives. You don't need coffee beans to enjoy it though, as roasted chicory root is delicious on its own or in combination with the other herbs on our list.
How To Use Roasted Chicory Root
There are a few simple ways to enjoy roasted chicory root.
Roasted Chicory Root As An Addition To Your Regular Coffee
As we mentioned, roasted chicory root makes a great addition to your coffee, and many people enjoy it this way simply for the flavour. You can gradually replace your ground coffee beans with ground roasted chicory root as a strategy to reduce caffeine consumption without experiencing a difficult energy crash. Grind your roasted chicory root in a coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle and try mixing it in with your ground coffee beans next time you brew a cup. You can experiment with ratios of roasted chicory root and coffee to see what you enjoy the most.
Roasted Chicory Root Tea
To brew roasted chicory as a tea, use cut chicory root. Add 1 teaspoon of chicory root to 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 10-20 minutes, then strain and enjoy. You can sweeten your chicory tea with sugar, honey, or stevia. If you'd like, you can also add a splash of milk or cream. Chicory tea has a slightly bitter, earthy flavor that many people find enjoyable.
Roasted Chicory Root Decoction
To make a roasted chicory root decoction, simmer 1-2 teaspoons of chopped chicory root in 2 cups of water for 15-30 minutes. Strain and drink. You can also add a sweetener or milk to the decoction if desired.
2. Roasted Dandelion Root
If you're looking for a coffee substitute that's both healthy and delicious, look no further than roasted dandelion root. This well-known root has a rich, nutty flavor that's like coffee, but without the caffeine. Plus, dandelion root is packed with nutrients like vitamins A, C, as well as iron. So not only will you be getting a great-tasting beverage, but you'll also be getting a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals. Like many bitter tasting herbs, dandelion root is prized in herbal medicine for its liver stimulating and detoxifying effects.
How To Use Roasted Dandelion Root
Roasted dandelion root can be prepared in several ways, and is delicious when mixed with other herbs on this list.
Roasted Dandelion Root Added To Your Coffee
Using a spice grinder or coffee grinder, roasted dandelion root can be ground to a texture similar to ground coffee. Mix your ground roasted dandelion root with your ground coffee in small amounts, and brew as you would regular coffee. You can expect an earthy, bitter, and toasty flavour.
Roasted Dandelion Root Tea
To brew roasted dandelion root as a tea, use small pieces of root, and add 1 teaspoon of dandelion root to 1 cup of hot water. Steep for 10-20 minutes, then strain and enjoy. Note that the longer that your tea is steeped for, the more bitter it will become.
Roasted Dandelion Root Decoction
To make a roasted dandelion root decoction, use dandelion root that is cut into small pieces. Place 1-2 teaspoons of the roasted dandelion root in 2 cups of boiling water and let it simmer for 15-30 minutes. Strain your decoction, pour into cups, and enjoy!
3. Roasted Burdock Root
Burdock root is a caffeine-free vegetable that is often used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to aid in digestion and detoxification. An incredibly versatile plant, dried burdock root tea can also be roasted using a method similar to how coffee is roasted, and can be used as a coffee alternative. Roasted burdock root has a rich nutty and flavour with a slightly bitter and dry taste.
How To Roast Burdock Root For Use As A Coffee Substitute
The burdock root that we offer at Zhi Herbals is dried, but it has not yet been roasted. If you choose to purchase your burdock root from us and plan to use it as a coffee alternative, we recommend first dry roasting your burdock root to bring out the deeper and richer flavours.
We do not suggest adding any oil when preparing your roasted burdock root. The following method is intended for use with dried burdock root and may not work if the burdock root that you are using is the fresh kind found in the refrigerated produce section of some grocery stores.
To dry roast your burdock root you will need a cast iron skillet, a stovetop, and your dried pieces of burdock root tea.
Preheat your cast iron skillet over low/medium heat.
Add your burdock root in a thin layer to the cast iron skillet.
Stirring often, heat the burdock root until it is evenly browned, and smells roasted. Depending on how roasted you like your burdock root, this may take between 5 and 20 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow to cool before transferring to an airtight jar.
For more information on storing roasted burdock root, read our article about the best way to store dried herbs.
How To Use Roasted Burdock Root As A Coffee Ingredient
To make roasted burdock root coffee, simply grind the roasted burdock root in a coffee or spice grinder and add it to your coffee grounds before brewing. This will give your coffee an earthy, slightly bitter flavor, and help to reduce the amount of caffeine in your drink.
Roasted Burdock Root Tea
To make a cup of roasted burdock tea, add 1 teaspoon of dried burdock root to 1 cup of boiling water. Allow the tea to steep for 10-20 minutes, then strain the liquid and enjoy.
Roasted Burdock Root Decoction
Roasted burdock can also be prepared as a decoction. Place 1-2 teaspoons of the roasted burdock root in 2 cups of boiling water and let it simmer for 15-30 minutes. Strain your decoction and serve.
How To Get The Best Results When Making Herbal Coffee Alternatives
Don’t Use Expensive Coffee Equipment
Coffee making equipment is designed for use with coffee beans only, and many of the herbs on this list can be extra challenging for machines designed with a single purpose in mind. This is because the density and toughness of herbs and coffee beans isn’t equal – putting herbal coffee alternatives in your coffee equipment may shorten the lifespan of your coffee machines and grinders. We recommend low-tech coffee grinders and pour over brewing methods to help you get the most out of your herbs without damaging any special coffee equipment.
Try New Herbal Coffee Mixtures
Don’t be afraid to get creative! You may find that herbs brewed as a tea don’t provide the coffee-like flavour richness that you crave, but that preparing the herbs as a decoction makes the taste dark and strong enough to be satisfying.
Blending herbs into different coffee substitute mixtures can be a great way to experiment as well. All of the herbs on this list can be used in combination. You may not like the flavour of roasted chicory on its own, but you may love it when you mix it with roasted dandelion root. Try several herbs and make your own custom blend coffee-free blend that you look forward to drinking every morning.
Reduce Your Coffee Consumption Gradually
If you drink coffee on a regular basis and want to stop, it is best to start slowly. For example, you could try replacing less than a quarter of your coffee with herbal coffee alternatives. As your body gets used to operating with less coffee in your system, you can increase the herbal coffee alternatives and decrease the amount of coffee beans used.
Try Adding Herbs To Your Coffee
Herbal alternatives are a great way to provide a substitute for the flavour that most people miss when trying to reduce the amount of coffee they consume. There are many herbs available to make your own herbal coffee alternative blend, and with so many choices, we know that you’ll find one you love.