Looking to quit or reduce caffeine? Here's an eye-opening list of the best herbal coffee substitutes and herbal coffee recipes! 

One of the biggest pains coffee lovers have is when they have to stop drinking coffee. For someone who loves the taste of coffee and has been reliant on coffee, it can be very difficult for them to give up this world's most favorite beverage.

Those with medical conditions that prevent them from drinking coffee may experience worsening medical conditions, caffeine withdrawals, sleepless nights, or heart palpitations if they continue their daily intake of caffeine. Coffee drinkers are advised by doctors not to consume large amounts of caffeine daily because long-term exposure to high levels of caffeine will cause health consequences such as stomach irritation, especially in people sensitive to stimulants like caffeine ( Mayo Clinic, 2011 ).

The following herbal coffee substitutes are suitable for those looking to replace their daily cups of joe with 100% caffeine free coffee which offers the same rich or dark taste (so it feels like they are drinking coffee). Because who wants to drink a cup of juice or matcha when they are actually craving that dark roasted taste of coffee, am I right?

What are the best natural coffee alternatives?

When it comes to herbal coffee blends or herbal coffee recipes, we have suggestions on which ones would best suit your taste. Here is the list of herbal coffee substitutes that you can drink to help you quit caffeine easier:

1. Dandelion Root Coffee Tea

Roasted dandelion root coffee tea is one of the best herbal coffee substitutes. It tastes nutty, slightly bitter but not acidic like coffee. It has a bold flavor with roasted and smoky notes which gives it a robust flavor.

Dandelion root coffee tea is simply made by brewing dried dandelion roots with boiling water. You may also find them available in small pellet form which instantly dissolves in water. Alternatively, the roasted dandelion root itself tastes more wholesome in my opinion. When brewed, it resembles a dark brown color similar to coffee with a bitter taste.

The dandelion is often consumed as a detoxifying tonic and is also used to treat liver disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes, gall stones and enlargement of the prostate gland. Dandelion root coffee tea is often sold in health food stores or herbal stores for use by people who are undergoing detoxification from drugs or alcohol.

While dandelion is not traditionally known to help with insomnia, due to its liver cleansing properties, you may find it to also help with sleep. A healthy liver means a balance of blood sugar which contributes to insomnia and waking up at night.

Dandelion root coffee tea contains good amounts of vitamins A & C, iron, calcium, and magnesium.

2. Barley Herbal Tea Coffee

Barley tea is an herbal tea coffee that has a nutty, earthy, almost bitter flavor that is reminiscent of coffee. This 100% caffeine free coffee alternative can also be roasted to bring out a toasted darker flavour which many regard as a middle ground between coffee and tea.

Barley tea is a good caffeine free coffee substitute that can be enjoyed warm or cold brewed which is often enjoyed in Korea and Japan as a refreshment drink in Summer.

Barley tea is considered to be an herbal coffee blend known to help treat gallstones in women, high cholesterol levels in men and heartburns are some common illnesses that have reportedly improved with barley tea consumption.

Barley tea herbal coffee blend contains high levels of fiber, which can aid in digestion and improve bowel movements. Antioxidants in barley tea also help relieve cramps and nausea by calming the stomach. For best results, drink a cup 30 minutes before eating.

It also contains amino acids, melatonin, and tryptophan, which in combination, can help you sleep better. 

3. Chicory Root Herbal Tea Coffee

One of the more popular herbal coffee substitutes, chicory root tea has a naturally woody and nutty flavor profile. Once roasted, the chicory root brews into a rich aroma and dark brown color which makes it a great alternative for people looking for a close substitute to caffeine free coffee.

You may find chicory herbal tea coffee on its own or blended with coffee itself to complement the flavors while reducing the amount of caffeine in your beverage.

Chicory root contains a compound known as inulin, which enables it to act as an excellent prebiotic. Prebiotics are non-digestible ingredients that can be used by good bacteria in the gut, which can help improve gut health and promote better digestion.

Chicory root herbal tea coffee blends well with other herbal coffee alternatives - such as dandelion coffee and barley – which also have their own unique flavor profiles and make an excellent tasting combination. The added bonus of the chicory blend is that it has a naturally occurring bittering agent inulin, which will help add extra body to your cup of hot water.

As well as being rich in antioxidants, chicory is also very high in dietary fiber, low on the glycemic index – meaning that it can help maintain blood sugar levels - and contains phytochromes [natural antioxidants] such as polyphenols and flavones. As with all herbal coffee alternatives, chicory is a good caffeine free coffee alternative.

4. Lattea Coffee Alternative

If you think chicory root, barley, and dandelion root tastes good on their own, why not combine these three to get the best of all worlds when it comes to herbal coffee substitutes? This is the best herbal coffee blend there is!

Meet Lattea Coffee Alternative Tea.

We've created this herbal coffee blend/herbal coffee recipe to help others on the coffee quitting journey.

The taste of Lattea tea has been described as "coffee-flavored tea" or "the closest herbal coffee substitute to the real thing".

This herbal tea coffee substitute provides the benefits of the three herbal coffee alternatives listed above while being a caffeine free coffee sub so you can drink this any time of the day without feeling jittery or suffering from headaches. It is a mixture of chicory root herbal, dandelion root coffee tea, barley, burdock root, and ginger to create a toasted, nutty and slightly bitter taste but not acidic like coffee. This balance of flavors creates an aromatic herbal coffee blend that will remind you of the good old days when you were enjoying coffee at home.

What makes Lattea uniquely different from other herbal coffee substitutes on the market?

Well, there are two things; firstly we have combined these five herbal products (dandelion root coffee, chicory root coffee, barley herbal tea coffee, burdock root tea, and ginger)  together based on customer feedback. The combination of the five ingredients gives this herbal coffee blend alternative a distinct and rich taste that is stronger than any individual ingredients.

Secondly, we have kept things simple by blending the best organic and premium ingredients together so you can enjoy your herbal coffee blend replacement while feeling satisfied with a roasted, rich, and dark drink. 

Click here to try it for yourself!

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed reading about the top herbal coffee alternatives that taste like coffee. For those who want to quit drinking coffee, these caffeine free coffee substitutes are a great way to get off regular coffee without experiencing caffeine withdrawals and headaches.

So if you're transitioning from coffee drinking to a healthier alternative of caffeine free coffee, these 4 different herbal coffee substitutes should be your starting point. They will give you the strength and flavor profile you require through their rich roasted aroma and smooth-tasting nature. The added bonus of these natural coffee alternatives is the wonderful cleansing and purifying properties of these delicious coffee-flavored teas.

I'm interested to know what helped you replace your coffee? Are there any other caffeine free coffee teas or herbs that taste like coffee or do you have any herbal coffee recipes you'd like to share? Comment below :)