I need a coffee substitute
March 28, 2022 5:48 PM Subscribe
Due to some medical things, I need to find a substitute for coffee.
I'm down to 1 or 2 cups a day. I don't really like the taste of tea, none that I have tried anyway. I see all these ads on the internet for coffee made out of mushrooms (!), etc. but don't feel like trying something new for $30+ a pop.
One thing that helped me when I was cutting back was drinking ra glass of juice. Now (same doc) told me to stay away from the pulpy ones. My favorites of course.
Ideas? I sure feel slow in the morning! Assume the regime is not optional.
I know there's a million things on the net, but I'd really like some personal recommendations.
I'm down to 1 or 2 cups a day. I don't really like the taste of tea, none that I have tried anyway. I see all these ads on the internet for coffee made out of mushrooms (!), etc. but don't feel like trying something new for $30+ a pop.
One thing that helped me when I was cutting back was drinking ra glass of juice. Now (same doc) told me to stay away from the pulpy ones. My favorites of course.
Ideas? I sure feel slow in the morning! Assume the regime is not optional.
I know there's a million things on the net, but I'd really like some personal recommendations.
I drink this stuff called Teeccino, especially the “Hazelnut” flavor (I generally despise flavored coffee but this isn’t so bad). It’s chicory and nuts and stuff. You can get it in tea bags or for drip.
posted by Hypatia at 6:02 PM on March 28, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Hypatia at 6:02 PM on March 28, 2022 [4 favorites]
Tea, even green tea, made at the boiling point of water is _not the same_ (and, in my opinion, not nearly as good) as green tea -- a really good green tea, possibly with jasmine -- prepared at the proper non-bitter temperature of 160-180 fahrenheit. Get a thermometer, and some good sencha (I like Trader Joe's sencha -- it's the only thing I like there -- and most organic "green tea + jasmine" packets), and make it right, then try it.
Failing that, I sometimes like Dr. Pepper mixed with club soda on ice. It's definitely caffeinated. Maybe you'd like that?
Chocolate also contains caffeine. If you want to try European hot chocolate:
Failing that, I sometimes like Dr. Pepper mixed with club soda on ice. It's definitely caffeinated. Maybe you'd like that?
Chocolate also contains caffeine. If you want to try European hot chocolate:
Use 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate for each cup of milk (whatever milk you want). Basically, heat the milk with the chocolate in a saucepan and stir constantly, then drink. Stir it a lot, though.posted by amtho at 6:05 PM on March 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
Get a narrow whisk like this if you're going to do this often. For the first time, you can experiment with a mixer beater, a regular-sized whisk, or even a fork.
I recommend almond milk, oat milk, or whole cow's milk. I sometimes add 1 tbsp butter or some cream, and a teeeny bit of salt iff there's no salt in the butter. Also vanilla extract and/or almond extract (1/8 tsp - really a small amount for just a cup).
Can also be refrigerated to pour into a cup and microwave later.
I should have led with the hot chocolate, really. People generally adore it, especially if I put whipped cream on top.
(Do not use soy milk, is my recommendation. Anything but that. I love soy milk, but just for baking/hiding inside things that need its protein.)
posted by amtho at 6:07 PM on March 28, 2022
(Do not use soy milk, is my recommendation. Anything but that. I love soy milk, but just for baking/hiding inside things that need its protein.)
posted by amtho at 6:07 PM on March 28, 2022
Response by poster: EDIT: I can't drink milk (almond milk might be OK, but soy and cow's milk product is definitely out) and I'm not sure if the caffeine IS the culprit. I'll need to check back.
I'm not a big fan of Trader Joes's, but I found some delicious almond/coconut milk there.
Great things to try, please keep them coming.
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 6:14 PM on March 28, 2022
I'm not a big fan of Trader Joes's, but I found some delicious almond/coconut milk there.
Great things to try, please keep them coming.
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 6:14 PM on March 28, 2022
Is it the caffeine or acid you need to avoid?
Count me in the 'there are lots of teas/infusions' camp; I have no less than eight kinds at any given moment. Blends with fruit, vanilla spice don't need milks.
(Just missed you on preview, sorry! But the caffeine/acid will make a difference.)
posted by cobaltnine at 6:14 PM on March 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
Count me in the 'there are lots of teas/infusions' camp; I have no less than eight kinds at any given moment. Blends with fruit, vanilla spice don't need milks.
(Just missed you on preview, sorry! But the caffeine/acid will make a difference.)
posted by cobaltnine at 6:14 PM on March 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
Oddly enough, unsweetened fizzy water makes a great replacement for coffee. I think it’s liveliness of the bubbles that makes it so appealing and novel.
posted by mochapickle at 6:19 PM on March 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by mochapickle at 6:19 PM on March 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: cobaltnine, not sure. The internet says both, which is why I'll probably ask my doctor (I trust her).
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 6:19 PM on March 28, 2022
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 6:19 PM on March 28, 2022
Kombucha? I’m a fan of GT’s Gingerade.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:20 PM on March 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Thorzdad at 6:20 PM on March 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
If you are open/able to decaf coffee, there have been some great advances in flavor retention technology in the last decade. “EA” or sometimes called “sugarcane EA” processing (as the decaf process is derived from sugar cane) yields some spectacular cups. I’ve had the chance to taste EA decaf next to the untouched product and the processed cup tastes a little thinner, and a little less acidic, but sweetness is largely retained as is the overall quality.
Kvass or barley tea?
REALLY good chamomile is pretty great, and one of the only teas I enjoy.
posted by furnace.heart at 6:22 PM on March 28, 2022
Kvass or barley tea?
REALLY good chamomile is pretty great, and one of the only teas I enjoy.
posted by furnace.heart at 6:22 PM on March 28, 2022
If you can have caffeine, I'd try PG Tips tea. It's got a lot of fortitude, and can be the tea liked by people who generally don't like tea.
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:31 PM on March 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:31 PM on March 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
My parents used to drink Postum as an alternative to coffee.
posted by cwarmy at 6:38 PM on March 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by cwarmy at 6:38 PM on March 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
We used to drink a lot of Krakus Inka, which is a coffee substitute made from roasted grain. -Basically the same as war time ersatz coffee. We used to call it klah, after the hot drink they made in the Pern books.
It was quite tolerable, but better with milk. If you are used to black coffee you should be able to handle black ersatz coffee without difficulty.
posted by Jane the Brown at 6:48 PM on March 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
It was quite tolerable, but better with milk. If you are used to black coffee you should be able to handle black ersatz coffee without difficulty.
posted by Jane the Brown at 6:48 PM on March 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
I would want to know why you need coffee. Is it the caffeine, the warm morning drink, the taste, the etc.? If you’re looking for caffeine, I find Irish breakfast tea strong. If you drink coffee with sugar and a type of milk then you can do the same with a black tea.
Lately I’ve had to cut out caffeine and dairy. I like tea with sugar and milk as well as coffee so I was able to do tea. I either do decaf English breakfast black tea or a masala chai roobios in the morning. Hot chocolate is good for a little something sweet.
As for milk substitutes, I’ve tried a bunch and I guess you’ll just need to give different ones a shot. I like the TJ’s coconut milk creamer for my tea or coffee now. A nutritionist has told me that coconut milk is okay when also avoiding nuts in your diet.
posted by Bunglegirl at 6:53 PM on March 28, 2022 [4 favorites]
Lately I’ve had to cut out caffeine and dairy. I like tea with sugar and milk as well as coffee so I was able to do tea. I either do decaf English breakfast black tea or a masala chai roobios in the morning. Hot chocolate is good for a little something sweet.
As for milk substitutes, I’ve tried a bunch and I guess you’ll just need to give different ones a shot. I like the TJ’s coconut milk creamer for my tea or coffee now. A nutritionist has told me that coconut milk is okay when also avoiding nuts in your diet.
posted by Bunglegirl at 6:53 PM on March 28, 2022 [4 favorites]
It's hard to suggest a replacement without knowing what itch coffee scratches for you, what aspects of coffee you're trying to get away from, and what you think you might find appealing in the morning.
But you mentioned juice, and I wonder if you might enjoy completely departing from coffee and making yourself juice and seltzer in the morning. You could add electrolytes (this is my preferred type) and pick a juice with antioxidant properties (pom, cherry, grape), treat it like a pretty healthy refreshing morning pick-up.
Alternately, or in combination, how about hot cereal? Go with something ultra high fiber unless your doctor disagrees, use whatever vegan milk or yogurt you prefer. Or go savory with a drinkably-thinned porridge, congee, oat drink, etc. (But add psyllium husk if you're not going high-fiber.)
Another option is hot broth.
posted by Lyn Never at 7:03 PM on March 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
But you mentioned juice, and I wonder if you might enjoy completely departing from coffee and making yourself juice and seltzer in the morning. You could add electrolytes (this is my preferred type) and pick a juice with antioxidant properties (pom, cherry, grape), treat it like a pretty healthy refreshing morning pick-up.
Alternately, or in combination, how about hot cereal? Go with something ultra high fiber unless your doctor disagrees, use whatever vegan milk or yogurt you prefer. Or go savory with a drinkably-thinned porridge, congee, oat drink, etc. (But add psyllium husk if you're not going high-fiber.)
Another option is hot broth.
posted by Lyn Never at 7:03 PM on March 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
Also Crio Bru.
posted by Sassyfras at 7:23 PM on March 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Sassyfras at 7:23 PM on March 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Bunglegirl, LynNever: Why? I assume it's the caffeine I've been ingesting since I was 16. Lucky for me I also get to avoid nuts. My next ask will be asking what's left to eat.
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 7:37 PM on March 28, 2022
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 7:37 PM on March 28, 2022
Definitely try oat milk for hot chocolate (or any dairy esque drink). It's pretty mild but delicious.
I focused on caffeine because you said you feel slow in the morning... if you want to not feel slow in the morning without caffeine, then I'd suggest sunshine (or a special lamp), and, more importantly, some kind of exercise. Giving up caffeine is hard, though. I've done it a couple of times and avoided withdrawal headaches, but I just felt sad a lot. Exercise helps with that.
Or, you could try cold water. In various administrations.
posted by amtho at 7:39 PM on March 28, 2022
I focused on caffeine because you said you feel slow in the morning... if you want to not feel slow in the morning without caffeine, then I'd suggest sunshine (or a special lamp), and, more importantly, some kind of exercise. Giving up caffeine is hard, though. I've done it a couple of times and avoided withdrawal headaches, but I just felt sad a lot. Exercise helps with that.
Or, you could try cold water. In various administrations.
posted by amtho at 7:39 PM on March 28, 2022
Buckwheat tea has a *somewhat* similar flavor to coffee - not the same, but I get why people often make the comparison. Can be obtained at pretty much any Asian grocery store or online - can't hurt to try! I particularly like the fact that it tastes good (to me) cold or hot.
posted by coffeecat at 7:41 PM on March 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by coffeecat at 7:41 PM on March 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
I had to cut back on caffeine, so I gave up on my 24oz of strong coffee everyday, but sometimes my stomach just doesn't like tea. To get that "bitter, hot" taste, I've been doing what Sassyfras does, only I call it "unsweetened hot chocolate": a teaspoon of cocoa, as much hot water as I would usually have for coffee, and a little milk to top it off. If you like black coffee, you could try it without milk. This is obviously not caffeine-free, but it's much less than coffee (or at least, much less than how I make it).
I remember buying a coffee substitute at one point made out of roast barley - it wasn't expensive. Unfortunately, I bought it at a little grocery store and can't remember the name. It may have been Nestle Caro. Here's a list of traditional substitutes.
posted by jb at 8:02 PM on March 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
I remember buying a coffee substitute at one point made out of roast barley - it wasn't expensive. Unfortunately, I bought it at a little grocery store and can't remember the name. It may have been Nestle Caro. Here's a list of traditional substitutes.
posted by jb at 8:02 PM on March 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
Yamamotoyama brand houjicha, genmaicha, or decaf genmaicha, are roasted green tea, or green tea with puffed rice. Low-ish caffeine and easy on the stomach, you can find these in most any asian market. I've linked to boxes of tea bags, but loose-leaf is better value. Yamamotoyama, Itoen, and Uji No Tsuyu are all pretty reliable brands.
(May want to avoid sub-par green teas from some western brands.)
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:21 PM on March 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
(May want to avoid sub-par green teas from some western brands.)
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:21 PM on March 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
Definitely try oat milk
Yeah there are so many more non-dairy non-soy milk options out these days. Someone I know a diet with no dairy, egg, nuts, or soy, really likes Not Milk.
But I mostly came in here to second Hypatia's suggestion of chicory as the most coffee-like drink I know of that isn't coffee and isn't caffeinated. If you aren't around New Orleans you probably won't find roasted and ground chicory root in your local store (and even there you'd mostly only find it already pre-mixed with coffee if memory serves), but it's findable for shipping online.
posted by solotoro at 8:27 PM on March 28, 2022
Yeah there are so many more non-dairy non-soy milk options out these days. Someone I know a diet with no dairy, egg, nuts, or soy, really likes Not Milk.
But I mostly came in here to second Hypatia's suggestion of chicory as the most coffee-like drink I know of that isn't coffee and isn't caffeinated. If you aren't around New Orleans you probably won't find roasted and ground chicory root in your local store (and even there you'd mostly only find it already pre-mixed with coffee if memory serves), but it's findable for shipping online.
posted by solotoro at 8:27 PM on March 28, 2022
Roasted dandelion root tea is coffee-like to me and has no caffeine. It seems to be a diuretic, however.
posted by delight at 8:32 PM on March 28, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by delight at 8:32 PM on March 28, 2022 [5 favorites]
I’ve tried a fair few plant milk things and the best by far for putting in drinks is Oatly oat milk, regular style. It doesn’t exactly replicate milk but it works really well with coffee and black teas, as well as in fruit smoothies. Other oak milks, even Oatly’s low fat version, are not nearly as good.
There are many tisanes that try to be coffee substitutes. None of them are actually like coffee, but plenty of them approach different aspects of it closely enough and are far enough from tea that they might work for you. Here is the excellent James Hoffman exploring some coffee substitutes. I always suggest roasted barley tea to coffee people, because I think it’s delicious as its own thing while being dissimilar enough from true teas as to be a new kind of bitter hot drink, and it works nicely with milk and sugar, unlike a lot of tisanes.
If it’s the ritual of brewing and drinking something hot that is key for you, a wildly left field suggestion is a sipping broth, like these.
posted by Mizu at 9:03 PM on March 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
There are many tisanes that try to be coffee substitutes. None of them are actually like coffee, but plenty of them approach different aspects of it closely enough and are far enough from tea that they might work for you. Here is the excellent James Hoffman exploring some coffee substitutes. I always suggest roasted barley tea to coffee people, because I think it’s delicious as its own thing while being dissimilar enough from true teas as to be a new kind of bitter hot drink, and it works nicely with milk and sugar, unlike a lot of tisanes.
If it’s the ritual of brewing and drinking something hot that is key for you, a wildly left field suggestion is a sipping broth, like these.
posted by Mizu at 9:03 PM on March 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
Bone broth is great.
It took me a long time to come around to herbal teas, but I've also taken a liking to Tazo Wild Sweet Orange and dried hibiscus, which both give a sharp tang of Vitamin C.
When you say juice, do you mean fruit juice? Why is the pulp a problem? You might have better luck with green juice. I started drinking one daily to up my vegetable count, and now I really look forward to the buzz and it helps my blood sugar! This is my homebrew recipe but you can simplify, it's very forgiving.
Blend whole (2-3 servings):
2 ice cubes
1/4 frozen avocado
1/2 tbsp psyllium husk
1/2 peeled cucumber
2 stalks celery
2-3 leaves curly kale with the stalks removed
1/2 green banana
1/4 granny smith apple
1 tsp peeled ginger
1 thin slice of jalapeño
1-2 tbsp fresh lime juice
handful each of parsley, cilantro, mint
~ quart of water or green tea
posted by lloquat at 9:14 PM on March 28, 2022 [4 favorites]
It took me a long time to come around to herbal teas, but I've also taken a liking to Tazo Wild Sweet Orange and dried hibiscus, which both give a sharp tang of Vitamin C.
When you say juice, do you mean fruit juice? Why is the pulp a problem? You might have better luck with green juice. I started drinking one daily to up my vegetable count, and now I really look forward to the buzz and it helps my blood sugar! This is my homebrew recipe but you can simplify, it's very forgiving.
Blend whole (2-3 servings):
2 ice cubes
1/4 frozen avocado
1/2 tbsp psyllium husk
1/2 peeled cucumber
2 stalks celery
2-3 leaves curly kale with the stalks removed
1/2 green banana
1/4 granny smith apple
1 tsp peeled ginger
1 thin slice of jalapeño
1-2 tbsp fresh lime juice
handful each of parsley, cilantro, mint
~ quart of water or green tea
posted by lloquat at 9:14 PM on March 28, 2022 [4 favorites]
I'm a coffee lover and I like rooibos for a hot non-caffeinated drink. I find it has a little more depth than herbal teas like chamomile and mint.
posted by jomato at 9:31 PM on March 28, 2022
posted by jomato at 9:31 PM on March 28, 2022
I'm a coffee lover, having gotten started at the age of 13, but I got sick of being physically dependent on caffeine -- if I didn't manage to get my first two cups of the day soon after waking up, I'd wind up with a roaring headache. This was a problem whenever I went camping or otherwise shook up my routine -- it was a pain to have to either drink cold instant coffee medicinally or drag my friends to whatever coffeeshop was around. So, I weaned myself onto decaf, and found that I wake up so much more easily now. Maybe power through it for a week and see if you wind up not actually missing the caffeine in the mornings?
(I do treasure the ritual of a hot cup of coffee in the morning, so I go through an embarrassing amount of Decaf Starbucks Via.)
posted by Metasyntactic at 10:27 PM on March 28, 2022
(I do treasure the ritual of a hot cup of coffee in the morning, so I go through an embarrassing amount of Decaf Starbucks Via.)
posted by Metasyntactic at 10:27 PM on March 28, 2022
I really enjoy a Rooibos Chai, either hot or iced, on the days that I can't have caffeine.
posted by spinifex23 at 10:30 PM on March 28, 2022
posted by spinifex23 at 10:30 PM on March 28, 2022
I had to stop coffee for a while due to GERD. I switched to a Rooibos tea or Rooibos chai tea with milk alternative (also couldn't have cow's milk). Could you do an oat milk?
posted by Toddles at 11:07 PM on March 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Toddles at 11:07 PM on March 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
Seconding Crio Bru - it's roasted cacao beans that you brew like coffee. Very nearly caffeine free, but you'll get an energy boost from the theobromine.
posted by meemzi at 12:05 AM on March 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by meemzi at 12:05 AM on March 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
I enjoy coffee, but it tears up my insides. I've gone without coffee for most of my life, except here and there.
Recently I've been engulfed in British media (I'm from NY), and the tea culture fascinated me, although I never properly understood it. I started looking into teas and trying out many different styles, types, flavors.
It turns out that teas can be just as strong as coffee (in flavor and caffeine) and fill that void I've wanted to have for all of these years.
I know you've said you've tried teas, but if your tea variations were as limited as mine, then perhaps it would be worth the time to reacquaint yourself.
I've really started to enjoy a proper Masala Chai (not the insanely sweet variations you get at coffee houses) as a loose-leaf tea with oat milk. It's strong, flavorful, and with oat milk designed for coffee usage, is thick and comforting. I also have a decaffeinated version for when I choose to drink tea later in the day.
An example of Masala tea on Amazon. I haven't tried this, but it should be close to what I describe.
An infusing Teapot or tea steeper is all that you would need.
Personally, I've actually really started to enjoy the ritualistic process of making the tea in the morning.
posted by wile e at 2:52 AM on March 29, 2022 [3 favorites]
Recently I've been engulfed in British media (I'm from NY), and the tea culture fascinated me, although I never properly understood it. I started looking into teas and trying out many different styles, types, flavors.
It turns out that teas can be just as strong as coffee (in flavor and caffeine) and fill that void I've wanted to have for all of these years.
I know you've said you've tried teas, but if your tea variations were as limited as mine, then perhaps it would be worth the time to reacquaint yourself.
I've really started to enjoy a proper Masala Chai (not the insanely sweet variations you get at coffee houses) as a loose-leaf tea with oat milk. It's strong, flavorful, and with oat milk designed for coffee usage, is thick and comforting. I also have a decaffeinated version for when I choose to drink tea later in the day.
An example of Masala tea on Amazon. I haven't tried this, but it should be close to what I describe.
An infusing Teapot or tea steeper is all that you would need.
Personally, I've actually really started to enjoy the ritualistic process of making the tea in the morning.
posted by wile e at 2:52 AM on March 29, 2022 [3 favorites]
I've also had to give up coffee in the last year, so watching with interest. I've found miso soup works - the ones I've tried vary a lot so you might need to sample a few. For me, the soup-in-paste-form ones work whilst the dried ones are not palatable. So this one and this one are good, for instance. I realise it is possible just to use miso paste that is not sold specifically for soup as a basis for broth, but my experiments with that have not been successful so far. I wish they were as I don't like the amount of plastic in the packaging of these two, so will go on trying.
Also, Marmite or Bovril - I guess I think of coffee as a savoury drink, so my replacements have tended that way. In less savoury, I do like bubble tea and if I had easier access to that I think that might be my coffee replacement. I think it's probably the sugar in that, plus the slight smokiness of the tea, that gives a slight buzz (the one I've had is roasted milk tea with brown sugar).
In case you didn't see it, you might like the MetaTalkTail discussion on hot drinks. Apologies for my slight snarliness at the end, it was a tender subject at the time.
posted by paduasoy at 3:14 AM on March 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
Also, Marmite or Bovril - I guess I think of coffee as a savoury drink, so my replacements have tended that way. In less savoury, I do like bubble tea and if I had easier access to that I think that might be my coffee replacement. I think it's probably the sugar in that, plus the slight smokiness of the tea, that gives a slight buzz (the one I've had is roasted milk tea with brown sugar).
In case you didn't see it, you might like the MetaTalkTail discussion on hot drinks. Apologies for my slight snarliness at the end, it was a tender subject at the time.
posted by paduasoy at 3:14 AM on March 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
I'm also going to suggest trying more kinds of tea. If you were in London I would send you to Good & Proper Tea; you're probably not, but you can still click through to read the descriptions (and brewing instructions!) of the various black, oolong, green and white teas they sell, and see if any appeal enough to go in search of a local supplier. Personally I like hojicha the best, and I second the recommendation upthread for Yamamotoyama and Itoen.
All kinds of tea can be drunk black and unsweetened, incidentally.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 3:33 AM on March 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
All kinds of tea can be drunk black and unsweetened, incidentally.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 3:33 AM on March 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
Coming back to add dark chocolate milk. I realise you can't drink cow's milk, but might be worth making or looking for other milks with dark chocolate.
posted by paduasoy at 3:37 AM on March 29, 2022
posted by paduasoy at 3:37 AM on March 29, 2022
Other Tea-like drinks with caffeine in them are Yerba Mate and Yaupon. They have a different flavor than "tea" the plant.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 4:46 AM on March 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by ArgentCorvid at 4:46 AM on March 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
One of my friends has to avoid coffee and has been drinking brewed cacao in the morning - it’s made like like coffee, but with roasted cocoa beans instead of roasted coffee beans. It’s taken her some experimentation to figure out what brand and style of brewing works for her, but overall she’s really happy with it.
posted by maleficent at 5:06 AM on March 29, 2022
posted by maleficent at 5:06 AM on March 29, 2022
Try Dandy Blend, that's what it's called, no caffeine, very coffee like. It's like instant coffee in that you just add boiling water. It's made of toasted barley, rye, chicory and dandelion root. I drink it with oat milk, it's amazing!
posted by starfish at 5:28 AM on March 29, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by starfish at 5:28 AM on March 29, 2022 [4 favorites]
2nding roasted dandelion root tea. It gives me a similar boost to coffee but without caffeine. Both coffee and dandelion root activate the gallbladder, and I assume that's the boost I'm feeling. I don't have any gallbladder problems that I know of, but many friends and acquaintances my age (female, 40s) are having to adjust their diet or have theirs removed. Maybe part of the sluggishness I feel if I haven't had either coffee or dandelion root is a mildly tired gallbladder, who knows?
Once I accidentally bought dandelion root & leaf tea in a similar package to the dandelion root. In my opinion, the leaf makes it taste too tea-like, but the dried and roasted root alone makes a coffee-like bitter beverage as strong as I like.
posted by Former Congressional Representative Lenny Lemming at 5:47 AM on March 29, 2022
Once I accidentally bought dandelion root & leaf tea in a similar package to the dandelion root. In my opinion, the leaf makes it taste too tea-like, but the dried and roasted root alone makes a coffee-like bitter beverage as strong as I like.
posted by Former Congressional Representative Lenny Lemming at 5:47 AM on March 29, 2022
Nthing dandelion root. Also burdock and roasted barley. Chicory is another, and the closest tasting to coffee in my opinion. I recommend acquiring all the above and experimenting with blends.
If a little caffeine is OK, try melting an ounce and a half of a nice bittersweet chocolate bar in 10 oz of water, in a saucepan, while whisking. Bring to a boil, and pull it off the heat to whisk for a few seconds, then put back on the burner. Do this three times and then pour into a mug. It's got a similar taste and mouthfeel to coffee. You can sweeten it if you want, or add vanilla, etc. But it's fine as is.
posted by ananci at 7:05 AM on March 29, 2022
If a little caffeine is OK, try melting an ounce and a half of a nice bittersweet chocolate bar in 10 oz of water, in a saucepan, while whisking. Bring to a boil, and pull it off the heat to whisk for a few seconds, then put back on the burner. Do this three times and then pour into a mug. It's got a similar taste and mouthfeel to coffee. You can sweeten it if you want, or add vanilla, etc. But it's fine as is.
posted by ananci at 7:05 AM on March 29, 2022
There are lots of grain-based coffee substitutes out there. Pero, Postum, Caro, Kaffree, Cafix, various chicory blends... the one I like best is Inka. Most of these substitutes are caffeine-free, including Inka. Couple of good spoonfuls in a mug with boiling water, good stir... it adds some nice body to the water, thickens it up a little, and gets a bit of froth on top. Nice mouthfeel. Flavor is the most coffee-like of all the substitutes I've tried.
I had a really bad stomach ulcer as a teen, from way too much black coffee and aspirin. The acid got to me. I generally drink coffee now with a splash of oat milk or soy milk, but even now in my 40s, occasionally if I haven't been watching myself, if I have too much orange juice, pineapple, black coffee, whatever, my stomach will complain. I have not had any problems with Inka.
posted by xedrik at 7:48 AM on March 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
I had a really bad stomach ulcer as a teen, from way too much black coffee and aspirin. The acid got to me. I generally drink coffee now with a splash of oat milk or soy milk, but even now in my 40s, occasionally if I haven't been watching myself, if I have too much orange juice, pineapple, black coffee, whatever, my stomach will complain. I have not had any problems with Inka.
posted by xedrik at 7:48 AM on March 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
I'm a huge coffee fan and I will switch it up with unsweetened cardamom chai: Nature's Guru Instant Cardamom Chai Tea Drink Mix Unsweetened 10 Count Single Serve On-the-Go Drink Packets
posted by extramundane at 8:14 AM on March 29, 2022
posted by extramundane at 8:14 AM on March 29, 2022
+1 for Pero. It is such a great coffee substitute because it has both a similar mouthfeel and taste. No caffeine.
posted by tatiana wishbone at 10:57 AM on March 29, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by tatiana wishbone at 10:57 AM on March 29, 2022 [1 favorite]
Other Tea-like drinks with caffeine in them are Yerba Mate and Yaupon.
I'm surprised it took this many comments for mate to come up. Just as much "pep" as coffee, but the flavor is a bit of an acquired taste.
Personally I had to stop drinking coffee (GERD issues) and just switched to sugar-free energy drinks for my morning boost. Maybe not the healthiest choice but any herbal substitute like mate or tea also upset my stomach.
posted by neckro23 at 11:52 AM on March 29, 2022
I'm surprised it took this many comments for mate to come up. Just as much "pep" as coffee, but the flavor is a bit of an acquired taste.
Personally I had to stop drinking coffee (GERD issues) and just switched to sugar-free energy drinks for my morning boost. Maybe not the healthiest choice but any herbal substitute like mate or tea also upset my stomach.
posted by neckro23 at 11:52 AM on March 29, 2022
Seconding the recommendation for Krakus, which has rebranded as Akava. I think the packaging recommends a single spoonful per mug, but I usually double it. If you have a milk frother, Akava will form some pretty nice foam if you want to replicate a cappuccino style drink.
Also a big fan of Celestial Seasoning's Roastaroma to scratch that coffee-but-not-coffee itch.
Both are caffeine-free.
posted by burntflowers at 6:53 PM on March 29, 2022
Also a big fan of Celestial Seasoning's Roastaroma to scratch that coffee-but-not-coffee itch.
Both are caffeine-free.
posted by burntflowers at 6:53 PM on March 29, 2022
Yup, Dandy Blend. It's the only thing I've found that scratches the same itch and is completely caffeine free.
posted by reksb at 9:02 AM on March 30, 2022
posted by reksb at 9:02 AM on March 30, 2022
Coffee upsets my stomach and can make me jittery, but tea doesn't hit the spot for me either - I don't like the taste, and tea does not have enough caffeine. For a caffeine boost, I now take pre-workout drinks in the morning. Typically they are fruity flavors, similar to fruit-flavored waters, Crystal Light or Kool-aid. Favorite brands are Early Bird Morning Cocktail and Six Star Pre-workout Explosion
posted by Ardea alba at 7:30 PM on March 30, 2022
posted by Ardea alba at 7:30 PM on March 30, 2022
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posted by Sassyfras at 5:53 PM on March 28, 2022 [3 favorites]