When I thought about a tea substitute for coffee I thought of only one tea, actually an herb. In my travels, I’ve talked to people who love coffee. I’ve researched to find the best substitutes for coffee using teas or herbs.
Why? Because tea is amazing and a lot of people want to give up coffee and find it a difficult transition. Difficult because they don’t know about tea or what would work.
Some people may feel the tea is healthier than coffee and in some instances that may be correct. This article gives you a better look at the comparison between tea and coffee.
How to substitute tea for coffee
Coffee is a bazillion dollar a year industry. There are coffee shops on just about every corner. You just have to have your coffee. Just one cup of coffee will take you on a fast trip to jitters, stomach issues, and agitations. Missing that morning coffee can give you a headache to start your day.
Yikes!
Coffee is an acquired taste, some don’t like the strength or bitterness so they add flavors and sugar. Two more things you do not need in your morning routine.
Whatever the reasons if you are looking to move from coffee to tea, I’m here for you. I get it.
There are some great substitutions for coffee. I was excited to research this and try all the suggestions to come up with the best list for you
The best tea substitutes for coffee
Yerba mate
Straight from South America. Yerba Mate is a root from a holly tree. It’s another front runner suggestion as a substitute for coffee. Easy on the stomach and a non-addictive stimulant. Yerba mate is generally consumed from a gourd with a special straw. The gourd is passed around from friend to friend and shared at the local “bar”.
Yerba mate is not a tea. It does not come from the Camellia Sinensis plant however Yerba mate does contain 78 mg of caffeine per cup.
If you are missing that caffeine bolt from your coffee then Yerba mate would be the best idea.
Yerba mate contains:
- Antioxidants
- Riboflavin
- Thiamine
- Phosphorus
- Iron
- Calcium
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
How to brew:
To make drinking yerba mate easier, you can also steep the leaves using a tea ball or purchase yerba mate tea bags. In these cases, just steep the leaves in hot water for 3–5 minutes and enjoy.
Cautions:
While Yerba mate is full of amazing benefits. Minimize your partaking of it as several studies have linked it to an increase in certain cancers.
While most of the studies do not find a direct link to Yerba Mate and cancer. The link is more to the study of drinking a hot beverage and damaging the esophagus, larynx, and oral cavity.
Chicory root
When you look for a substitute the number one replacement you will see is chicory root. Chicory root has been used for centuries as a cooking ingredient. Chicory root is also used as traditional medicine. Chicory root has no caffeine and is plant-based.
Chicory is a root that is ground into a fine powder with the same color and similar taste to that of coffee. The root is a great prebiotic that helps the microbes in your gut. Everyone is aware nowadays of the leaky gut syndrome.
Have you tried it?
I’m thinking some of you have and that is why you are here. Some people can tolerate the bold, dark, roasted flavor of chicory root. But for some, it is not even a close comparison to coffee.
Chicory root by itself is extremely strong. Today’s coffee drinkers for the most part are not the black, roasted, no sweetener coffee. Most coffee drinkers today love the added flavors of vanilla, hazelnut, and more.
There are some great chicory brands. These brands have made chicory root a great substitution by adding flavors.
Health benefits of Chicory root:
- May help in bowel movement
- Helps improve blood sugar
- Decrease inflammation
- AIDS indigestion
- Rich in inulin (prebiotic fiber)
- Stirs the gallbladder
- Caffeine-free
How to brew:
2 Tablespoons in 6 ounces of water. You can always adjust from there.
Cautions:
- Can cause gas
- Bloating
- Digestive issues
Golden Milk
Golden milk is also known as turmeric milk. India’s been partaking of golden milk for a long time. I learned about golden milk through Tim Ferriss. Tim often talks about it on his podcast. It’s his go-to for many reasons.
The key ingredient is turmeric. Turmeric is a popular yellow spice familiar in many Asian dishes as curry. The turmeric is a warming spice that warms the soul and the gut.
Golden milk contains these spices:
- Ginger
- Cinnamon
- Turmeric
- Black pepper
- Cardamom
- Vanilla
- Honey
- And MIlk
Health benefits of Golden Milk:
- A powerhouse of anti-inflammatory and antioxidants.
- Helps with joint pain
- Improve memory and brain function
- Mood improvement
- Speeds learning
- Reduces LDL (the bad stuff)
- May protect from heart disease
- Lower blood sugar levels
- Reduce the risk of cancer
- Antibacterial
- Antiviral
- Antifungal
- Helps digestion
How to brew:
In a saucepan, combine:
- 1 cup (237 ml) of milk or a non-dairy alternative
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger
- a pinch of black pepper
- Optionally, add honey to taste.
Warm the mixture on low to medium heat, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
Once heated, pour the drink into a mug and enjoy.
Cautions:
- Stomach upset
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
Those with gallbladder disease or gallstones should avoid turmeric. It can stimulate the gallbladder
Dandelion Root
The root of the dandelion is cleaned, boiled, and roasted. Once roasted you brew the root in water and it’s dark roasted flavor can replace coffee.
I did a 30 day fast and one of the herbal teas that I used was dandelion root. It’s great to support liver function and cleansing.
To make a coffee substitute you have to use the root. The root is where you get that more roasted robust flavor when brewing.
You can easily make your own dandelion root. My only caution is to make sure the area you pick the dandelion is toxin-free.
Dandelions are not easy to pull up. Wait until early spring, if you wait longer the roots will dry up and have a more bitter taste.
Take the bigger pieces of the root and chop them up (after they are cleaned). Roast them (similar to how you roast nuts) in an oven at 400 degrees for approximately 30 minutes. Pay attention to the roots to make sure they do not burn.
Benefits of Dandelion Root:
- Reduces water weight
- Promotes liver health
- Cleanses the liver/gallbladder
- Helps digestion
- Help prevent Urinary tract infections
- Improve appetite
- Relieve constipation
How to brew:
Generally 1 tablespoon per cup of water.
You make your dandelion root tea like any tea.
Place the root along with any spices
- cardamon
- fennel
- cinnamon
- sage
brew just like you would a tea.
You can sweeten if desired.
Dandelion root tea has the look of coffee and its flavor is similar but less bitter. Some friends I know actually grind the dandelion root into a powder and infuse it that way.
Cautions:
- May cause allergic reactions in some
- Increased urination
- May cause diarrhea
- Heartburn
- May interact with certain medication
Some teas and herbs to help along the journey
As you start to transgress from coffee to an herbal alternative there are a few other herbs that can help that change. You can add these to your coffee substitute or drink them individually.
Peppermint – Warming, energizing, calming, helps with bloating. Can add flavor to your coffee alternative touch of sweetness.
Ginger – Energizing, warming, helps digestion, spicy.
Organic Green Tea – Actual tea (has caffeine).
Chamomile – Calming, relaxing, helps with sleep
Teas to substitute for coffee:
Rosamonte Yerba Mate
One of the best selling Yerba Mate on Amazon. RosaMonte is a familiar name with Yerba Mate.
- Stated to be one of the finest Yerba Mate w/ stems
- Gluten-Free
- Unique
- 18 months of drying time
- Smokey flavor
- Not overpowering
- Full-bodied
- Earthy
Yerba Mate
Another choice for Yerba Mate is this gem.
- Organic
- BPA Free
- Super Green
- Grown in the rainforest
- Calming
- Full-bodied
- Roasted
- Smooth and buttery
Chicory Root
The origins of this chicory root are India. The dark brown color and robust aroma make it a great substitute for coffee. People have also been known to dye their hair with it.
- 100% natural
- Caffeine-free
- Kosher certified
- Robust
- Earthy
- Rich flavor
- Full-bodied
- Fiber-rich
- Vitamin C source
- Easy on the gut
Turmeric Anti Inflammatory Tea
If you have not tried Golden Milk before, now it’s your time. This Golden Milk is full of many great nutrients and beneficial properties. Golden milk can also be used as a dye.
- Ayurvedic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Soy-free
- Pungent
- Slightly bitter
- Citrus flavor
Dandelion Tea
A medicinal root that you could pick out of your yard, but why? You can easily buy this Dandelion tea from Traditional Medicinals.
- Non-GMO
- Organic
- Certified
- Roasted
- Bitter notes
- Stimulates the liver
- Supports Digestion
Conclusion
Giving up coffee should be easy now that you have these 4 healthy substitutes. Substitutes not only remove coffee but give you some healthy alternatives. Removing the unhealthy effects that coffee has on our bodies.
You can choose one or all. Each giving you a different taste and unique benefit. What is great about choices is they give you a chance to find something you like. There is more than one alternative for your cup of coffee.
My daughter is an avid coffee drinker and wanted to find a substitute for coffee. She was open to trying all these and settled on one. Her choice was chicory root. Her words were “ I love it”.
Many people are proclaiming their love for tea substitutes for coffee. I’m happy to have shared them with you today.
Which one is your choice? What worked for you, I’d love to know.
