9 Coffee Substitutes And Why You Should Try Them

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Morning coffee for many people replaces breakfast, but others prefer not to drink it for a number of reasons. Sometimes the high caffeine content in the drink can cause nervousness and agitation and can even cause digestive problems or headaches.

Many of us do not like the bitter taste of coffee or are just tired of drinking it every morning. For this reason, we present you 9 delicious coffee alternativesthat you can try.

1. Chicory coffee

Like coffee beans, chicory root can also be roasted, ground and boiled. The taste of the hot drink is very similar to that of coffee, but does not contain caffeine. It is also considered to be the richest source of inulin. It is a soluble fiber that helps break down food and keeps the gut healthy. It is also responsible for promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria: bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Chicory root can be pre-roasted and then prepared in the same way as coffee in a coffee machine, French press or espresso machine. However, do not overdo the dose, as side effects such as bloating and gas may also occur. Also, the intake of chicory coffee in pregnant women is not recommended due to lack of research on its effect on the fetus.

2. Match tea

A type of green tea made by steaming, drying and grinding the leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis into a fine powder. Unlike green tea, you consume the whole leaf and thus get a much more concentrated source of antioxidants.

Method of preparation:

- Sift 1-2 tablespoons of match powder in a ceramic bowl;

- Add hot water, about 71-77 ℃;

- Stir slowly until the powder dissolves and then shake gently back and forth.

The match tea is ready when a light foam forms. You can also add a glass of milk to the drink. Keep in mind that you are consuming the whole leaf and for this reason the amount of caffeine is higher in the match than in green tea. The amount in each serving can vary from 35-250 mg per cup.

3. Golden milk

Photo: yogitea

Rich, decaffeinated coffee substitute. The hot drink includes inspiring spices such as ginger, cinnamon, turmeric and black pepper. You can also add cardamom, vanilla and honey. In addition to giving your drink a pleasant golden color, turmeric can have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Black pepper increases your body's ability to absorb curcumin and fat.

You can prepare the golden milk in just 5 minutes: pour in a saucepan 1 teaspoon of fresh milk, ½ teaspoon of ground turmeric, ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon of green ginger and a pinch of black pepper. If desired, you can add honey to taste. Heat the mixture on the hob to a medium temperature, stirring often so that it does not burn.

4. Lemon water

The morning drink should refresh you, and lemon water can be a great start to your day. It does not contain calories and caffeine and provides a sufficient dose of vitamin C. As an antioxidant, the vitamin plays an important role in your immune system and protects the skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Even just one glass a day can provide you with the necessary dose of vitamin C, and it is easy to prepare: add the juice of half a lemon in 1 tsp. water and drink it. You can add other ingredients to diversify the drink, such as cucumber, mint, watermelon and basil.

5. Yerba mate

Natural caffeinated herbal tea made from dried leaves of the South American tree. If you want to replace coffee without giving up your morning dose of caffeine, yerba mate is the best option. Some studies even show that this drink contains a higher amount of antioxidants even than green tea. To prepare yerba mate, you need to soak the leaves in hot water for about 5 minutes and enjoy. However, you should not overdo the amount, because some studies show that regular intake of 1-2 liters per day can cause some cancers.

6. Chai tea

A type of black tea mixed with strong herbs and spices. Some studies show that drinking Chai tea reduces the risk of heart disease. In addition, the tea has a strong taste and pleasant smell. You can prepare your drink by crushing 4 cardamom seeds, 4 cloves and 2 black pepper. In a saucepan add 2 tsp. filtered water, a slice of fresh ginger, 1 cinnamon stick and ground spices. Bring the mixture to a boil and then remove from the heat. Add 2 sachets of black tea and let the mixture brew for about 10 minutes.

7. Rooibos tea

Red decaffeinated beverage from South Africa. Some studies show that regular consumption of the drink can reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Rooibos should be soaked more than other teas, but this does not lead to a bitter taste, on the contrary. Instead, you can enjoy its pleasant sweet, fruity taste.

8. Apple cider vinegar

It is obtained by fermentation of crushed apples, yeast and bacteria. This process produces acetic acid, which can have a beneficial effect on insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels. One study even claimed that when people with insulin resistance drank half a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar before meals, their blood sugar rise was reduced by 64%. However, the effect is not seen in people with type 2 diabetes. Apple cider vinegar can also help fight weight gain. The drink, which is prepared, combines 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp. cold water and optionally 1-2 tablespoons of honey or other sweetener.

9. Kombucha

It is obtained by fermentation of black tea with bacteria, yeast and sugar. Animal studies show that kombucha can boost the immune system, improve cholesterol levels and blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. The preparation of kombucha at home is not recommended due to the high risk of contamination with harmful pathogens. However, there are countless commercial varieties that are harmless to health.