Coffee has been consumed and is still being consumed for hundreds of years by humans, we have come a long way from simple brewing machines to high-tech coffee makers, and there is no doubt that this will continue for a very long time. But not all of us like coffee, some don’t like the bitterness, and some are just avoiding it due to high content of caffeine that can make them nervous and agitated and some are just looking for another taste in the morning.
Whatever your reason might be, you can expect that there are tons of other drinks that have coffee’s bitterness with added flavors likes herbs and spices, some are sweet and fruity, and some are tangy and refreshing. Some drinks do not contain the caffeine that makes you agitated or nervous and some are just packed with vitamins and antioxidant great for your health.
In our list below, we have dried tea leaves, fermented tea, fermented fruits and just plain fruit that you can mix with water and other her and spices. Dive in if you want to know which is best for your taste.
Here are some alternatives to coffee
Chicory coffee
Chicory coffee comes from chicory root that can be process like coffee turning it to a hot delicious beverage that taste similar to coffee but doesn’t have the caffeine. It’s also packed with insulin that is good for digestion and promotes good bacteria for a healthy gut. You can buy it pre-ground and roasted, and you can brew it just like coffee making it easy and convenient to prepare.
Some things to keep in mind about chicory coffee is that although insulin is beneficial to your health, it has some side effects like bloating and gas and this alternative is not recommended to a pregnant or breastfeeding moms.
Matcha tea
Macha is a type of green tea that is produced by drying, grinding and steaming leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. In consuming macha, you are consuming a whole leaf and for this you get much more antioxidants. Drinking green tea has a lot of health benefits, including reducing the risk of high blood pressure, lower risk of type 2 diabetes, and can lower body fat and weight.
And since you are consuming a whole leaf, this will give you higher caffeine intake compared to a regular brewed tea and coffee. One serving of macha can have 35-250 mg of caffeine.
Macha has a more earthy taste than green tea.
Golden milk
The next substitute is golden milk, a warm drink that incorporates spices like cinnamon, black pepper, ginger, and turmeric. Others include cardamom, honey and vanilla. Golden milk is rich and caffeine-free with tons of health benefits.
Besides giving the drink its golden color, turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties from its potent chemical, curcumin.
Lemon water
Looking for something simple that you can drink every morning? Switch to lemon water. It’s caffeine and calorie-free with enough vitamin C, which a good way to start your day
Like the antioxidant that is present in coffee, vitamin C plays a big role in your immune system, and your skin. It protects your skin from the harsh sun, it’s used to create more collagen and protein for your skin and bones.
You can also add other things in your lemon water to make it tastier and healthier, add some cucumbers, mint and basil for a fresher taste.
Yerba maté
Yerba maté is another type of tea produced from the dried leaves of llex paraguriensis. This tea has around 78 mg of caffeine per serving just like your regular coffee. It has antioxidants higher than green tea and contains vitamins like calcium, iron, vitamin C and E.
You can but Yerba maté in tea bags for an easier and more convenient way of drinking compared to the traditional way – adding water as you drink while using a metal straw.
Just keep in mind that certain studies show that high intake of this tea can lead to cancer.
Chai tea
Chai tea is probably one of my favorite alternatives to coffee. It is a type of black tea that has strong herds and spices that you can really taste on every sip. With less caffeine than coffee, chai tea can still improve your mental awareness and give you the right boost in the morning. Both black and green tea is high in antioxidants and is good for your health, but some studies show that black tea lowers your risk of heart diseases.
Chat tea has earthy has the comforting smell of spices. Try it and you might be surprised.
Rooibos tea
Rooibos also known as red tea from South Africa. Unlike other tea’s, rooibos is caffeine free and is low in tannin antioxidants which is beneficial but can also interfere with your iron absorption.
According to studies, rooibos can lower your risk of cancer and heart disease while containing enough amount of antioxidant. This red tea taste sweeter than other tea and has a unique fruity flavor.
Apple cider vinegar
Personally I haven’t tried this next coffee alternative that I’m going to talk about, but a lot of people swear by it due to its health benefits and can also help you lose weight.
Apple cider vinegar comes from crushed apples that are fermented with bacteria and yeast. According to studies, apple cider has effects on your insulin and blood sugar level and can lower your sugar levels after eating a full meal. It can also give you a feeling of fullness and can help with weight loss.
To prepare your apple cider vinegar drink, combine 1-2 tablespoon and dilute it into 1 cup of cold water. You can add some honey if you prefer to add some sweetness.
Keep in mind that drinking apple cider without diluting it in water, else it can burn your mouth and throat, wear away tooth filling and enamels.
Kombucha
This next drink is fairly new to some people, some might never have heard of it or tried it.
Made by fermenting black tea, kombucha is fizzy with a bit of sweetness. You can add other flavor and make it more floral, fruity or herbal. This fermented tea is tangy and refreshing.
Kombucha is packed with acetic acid, antioxidants and probiotics, all of which are beneficial to your health. Research on animals shows that kombucha can boost immune system, lower cholesterol and blood sugar level. But keep in mind that there has been little to none human researches on kombucha.
Making your own kombucha is not recommended because of high risk of contamination. With this, we suggest buying commercially available kombucha for a safer and easier drinking experience.
Conclusion
While we cannot argue that coffee has all the benefits listed above and has the sufficient amount of caffeine to start your day right, not all people want the extra alertness in the morning, or the taste. If you are looking for great alternatives for coffee, give our list a try, and you might be surprised.
Some substitute have twice the amount of antioxidant, vitamins and probiotics that coffee does not contain.
Just be sure to check and do your own research to have the best drinking experience.
