What is herbal coffee?

It is a hot drink made with a blend of healthy herbs. It tastes similar to regular coffee, and it's dark and deeply satisfying. However, it's caffeine-free and less acidic. Because it contains milk thistle seed, dandelion root and other health-promoting ingredients, herbal coffee can help you to support liver function.

Does herbal coffee taste like regular coffee?

Not exactly. There are similarities, for example, the nuttiness and bitterness of regular coffee. It is a rich and satisfying flavor - the perfect pick-me-up in the morning! I find that herbal coffee is a great alternative to decaf coffee and a lot more satisfying than herbal tea. Even coffee drinkers generally like dandelion root coffee with roasted chicory.

Does herbal coffee contain caffeine?

No it's completely free from caffeine. If you add products like cacao nibs or cocoa, though, there may be some caffeine.

Is herbal coffee gluten-free?

Most herbal coffee mixtures are gluten-free, but you may need to check the package of the individual brand to make sure.

Can I buy herbal coffee?

Yes! There are some great pre-made herbal coffee brands on the market. I really like Dandy Blend which is dandelion coffee herbal coffee blend with chicory root! Look for it online or at your local health food store.

Herbal Coffee Recipe (Best Coffee Substitute)

Name: Herbal Coffee Recipe (Best Coffee Substitute)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Herbal
Ingredients: 1 ½ tablespoons cut and sifted dandelion root; 1 tablespoon milk thistle seed; 2 tablespoons chicory root granules; ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon; 20 ounces boiling water; Coconut milk to taste (optional)

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 1/2 tablespoons cut and sifted dandelion root
1 tablespoon milk thistle seed
2 tablespoons chicory root granules
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
20 ounces boiling water
Coconut milk to taste (optional)

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Instructions

Put all the dandelion root, milk thistle seed, chicory root granules, ground cinnamon, and boiling water to the base of a French press coffee maker.
Let the mixture steep for 10 minutes (or up to 15 minutes).
Push the plunger down and pour the freshly steeped herbal coffee into your mug.
Top with a bit of coconut or other plant milk, or sweeten it if you want to. Enjoy hot.

Notes

The longer you steep this coffee, the more the flavor will intensify, and the more potent the herbal coffee’s healing power will be! It’s best to experiment with different times until you find out how long you should leave it for the best taste.
Top your herbal coffee with any dairy-free milk if you like white coffee. I like the creaminess of coconut milk or gluten-free oat milk.
You can add a little sweetener to your herbal coffee if it’s too bitter. I recommend a tiny bit of honey or maple syrup.

Author: Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Beverages
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Herbal
Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/2 of recipe
Calories: 3
Sugar: 0 g
Sodium: 3 mg
Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 0.6 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg