Herbal Coffee Alternative
Coffee- the magic elixir that most people need to function in the morning. Are you part of the few that does not drink coffee but wants to be part of the fun? Do you love coffee but hate the way caffeine makes you feel? Do you want to avoid the chemicals traditionally used to decaffeinate coffee beans? A yes to any of these questions means this delicious DIY coffee alternative is for you!
The secret ingredients in this herbal brew are roasted dandelion root* and roasted chicory root***. Not only are you avoiding caffeine with this tasty drink, but chicory and dandelion root both provide awesome health benefits! Chicory root may help protect the liver, improve gut health, and provide a good source of vitamin B6, zinc, potassium, and magnesium. Dandelion root may help with blood sugar and blood pressure as well as providing a good source of vitamin A and C.
To make this herbal brew you will need:
- 4 tsp roasted dandelion root
- 3 tsp roasted chicory root**
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp pau d’arco
- 3 cups boiling water
This coffee alternative can be made however you normally make coffee, with a french press, drip coffee maker, or steeping it in a mesh tea ball.
This recipe makes about two servings, or three cups.
*To prepare these ingredients, simply lay the dandelion root and chicory root on a baking sheet and roast in the oven until lightly browned. These are roasted in this recipe to provide a richer flavor, but both roots can be used raw.
**Adding more chicory root will make this brew more like a dark roast, while decreasing the chicory root will lighten the brew. This recipe creates a flavor similar to a medium roast coffee.
***Roasted chicory and dandelion root are both caffeine and gluten free.
