Coffee is a morning essential for many people. Whether you take it black or with cream, coffee provides us with the caffeine needed to get going in the morning. However, there are some who cannot drink coffee due to health reasons or who just prefer other options instead of coffee. Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives that can help wake you up and provide that energy boost you need in the morning! In this blog post we will talk about five different substitutes that can be used when someone needs an alternative to their daily cup(s) of Joe.

Please bear in mind the coffee alternatives below do contain some caffeine however would be less than coffee.

Top 5 Coffee Substitutes to wake you up

1. Green Tea

Green Tea is a common coffee substitute for those who want to stay caffeinated but need a break from coffee. It has less caffeine than coffee, but still provides that energizing effect you need in the morning. A standard cup of green tea has about 25mg of caffeine in it.

The caffeine content gives you an energy boost without jitters or crashes. So how does this work? The L-theanine in green tea helps to regulate blood sugar levels and slows the absorption of caffeine, which evens out the energy kick so you don't get those jitters. This is a great way for people to have a calm yet focused way to stay awake without all the side effects!

You'll also be glad to know it can give your metabolism an extra boost so it's a great start to the day.

If you're looking for an Australian grown strawberry gum green tea that is also great for balancing gut health, check it out here.

2. Kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented black or green tea that is high in probiotics and can aid digestion. Kombucha's caffeine level ranges from 8-14mg per cup which would be less than coffee and a standard brewed black tea but still refreshingly energizing.

Kombucha is made with organic cane sugar, black tea or green tea, water and a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast). The ingredients are mixed together then fermented anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months depending on taste preference.

Many associate the taste of kombucha to light version of apple cider vinegar because of the acetic acid content. It has a tangy yet refreshing taste to wake your taste buds up!

3. Yerba Mate

Yerba mate is a caffeinated drink originally from South America. It was first consumed by indigenous people in Southern Brazil who would chew on the leaves before spitting out the masticated leaves into a cup filled with hot water.

Nowadays, it's most commonly drunk as an infusion made by steeping dry or fresh leaves in hot water, producing what is known as "yerba" or "mate". The drink can also be prepared cold using ice cubes instead of boiling water.

As mentioned above, yerba mate is naturally caffeinated so drinking this instead of coffee will provide an energy boost while not being as addictive. Although yerba mate and coffee have similar caffeine content at 75-80mg per cup vs 80-95mg, the caffeine in mate works differently to coffee.

If you've never had yerba mate before, many would describe the taste as quite earthy, bitter, and has a eucalyptus smell. The strong taste may be an acquired taste for some and can be attributed to the high tannin content of the tea leaves.

4. Matcha tea

As you may know, matcha is a green tea powder (made by grinding up young green tea leaves). Matcha is rich in antioxidants, Vitamin A, C and E as well as L-theanine. The L-Theanine helps with slow release of caffeine similar like green tea and yerba mate to prevent the coffee related jitters.

The caffeine in matcha is around 70mg which is lower than coffee at 80-95mg.

Matcha has been shown to improve mood, mental concentration, alertness, empathy, stamina and energy levels. It also detoxifies the body by removing heavy metals such as cadmium from the liver and kidneys while reducing fatigue.

With this particular coffee substitute, you can use it in many ways as it is in powder form. The flavor also blends well in smoothies, lattes, cakes, savoury dishes as an added boost! It can be a tad bitter if too much is added so start off with a teaspoon for matcha lattes as an example.

5. Black tea

Black teas are high in antioxidants which help improve moods by curbing cortisol, an inflammatory hormone created in response to stress or exercise. It will make for a nice morning substitute!

The caffeine content in black tea is around 47mg per cup, lower than coffee at 80-95mg but has a more gradual release of energy.

English Breakfast

Black teas like english breakfast are a satisfying warm beverage in the morning especially with milk and honey.

For an Australian version of black tea originating from the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland, click here to try Royalty.

French Earl Grey

For those who want more interesting flavours, you can try Earl grey. This tea is a blend of black and bergamot, which give it an orange flavor. Earl grey has been a great coffee substitute in the morning when you still want a beautiful wake me up tea.

For those who love earl grey (or even if you don't), many love our French earl grey which has a burst of fruity and floral notes. It's naturally sweet so no sugar is needed. It's also delicious as a cold brew - simply add 2 teaspoons per 250ml cup of cold filtered water. Leave it in the fridge overnight and you'll end up with a super smooth and lightly sweetened french earl grey in the morning.

Get your French Earl Grey Tea here.

Chai

Chai is a traditional tea originating from India that contains spices, milk and sugar. Typically you would get a nice blend of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, black pepper, cloves along with black tea etc. It has been used for centuries as an alternative to coffee because of it's ability to wake up the senses!

You can mix this with milk for added richness however it also tastes gorgeous with just honey. Alternatively, try using almond milk or coconut milk for an extra creamy texture. You can also add ground cinnamon as a garnish on top of your cup of chai too!

You may also like to create a spice mix at home to brew over the stove. Alternatively you can buy it a Spiced Tea already made here.

Conclusion

So, now that you know the top 5 coffee substitutes to wake up with in the morning, it’s time to put them into action. There are a lot of benefits associated with giving your body and mind something different - especially if you want to cut down on too many coffees throughout the day. The best way to find out which one is right for you may be by experimenting with each option until you feel satisfied! Let us know what your favourite substitute was once you try all five – we love hearing from our readers!