Herbal Coffee Substitutes

Many scientific studies have been done on coffee and when taken in moderation coffee is good for most people. The problem is that some people are allergic to the caffeine in the coffee, or perhaps they just don't like coffee. There are a number of commercial coffee substitutes on the market that are available in health food stores and online. If you prefer, you can make your own herbal coffee substitutes that are caffeine free and you know exactly what's in them. Below are some herbal preparations.

Chicory

Chicory is an herb that has a beautiful little blue flower. It is often mixed with real coffee or it can be used alone. Chicory has a long tap root that can be cut up and roasted. It is then ground and made into a caffeine free beverage that is a coffee substitute. It's a favorite in New Orleans.


Dandelion

Another common herb used for coffee is dandelion root. Like chicory, dandelion also has a long tap root. These roots can be harvested, dried, cut up and roasted. It can be ground in a coffee grinder and then used to brew caffeine free herbal coffee substitute. There are commercial dandelion coffees available in nutrition centers and specialty food stores.


Chickpea

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzos are a legume. The chickpeas can be spread out on a cookie sheet and baked at 300 degrees until they are brown like coffee beans. After they have cooled down you can grind them in a coffee grinder and then use the grind like you would when making coffee. Chickpea coffee can be percolated, or boiled in water. You may want to use a tea strainer when pouring the brew to avoid sediment in your cup.

Barley

Barley alone or mixed with other grains is used to make coffee substitute drinks. Spread the barley thinly on a cookie sheet and roast in the oven at 425 degrees until it is dark in color. Cool, then grind in a coffee grinder. Measure out a heaping teaspoon in a cup and add boiling water.

Does anyone remember Postum? It was a commercial product made by the C.W. Post company and sold in supermarkets for years. My parents did not drink coffee and Postum was a staple at our house. It was made from roasted wheat and molasses. Postum is making a comeback of sorts. It is available from two sources in the United States. Amazon.com and The Vermont Country Store. Be prepared for sticker shock, it is quite expensive. I have no connection with the Postum company, I just have nostalgic memories from days past.


http://coffeetea.about.com/od/typesoftea/a/Chicory.htm
http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/chickpea-coffee-substitute-recipe-zmaz77sozgoe.aspx
http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/barley-coffee-substitute-recipe-zmaz77sozgoe.aspx
http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/store/jump/productDetail/Catalog/Food_&_Candy/Breakfast/Postum/64003

Your comments are welcome. To leave a comment click on the words "1 comment" below. Be sure to check out my web site at www.valerielull.com

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Spices for Health and Longevity
Ten healthy Teas
valerielull923@gmail.com

Coffee Leaf Tea

There's something new in the world of tea, it is called coffee leaf tea. It is a drink that comes from the leaves of the coffee plant. It is both coffee and tea and scientists think it's healthier than both. It has 17% more antioxidants than green tea. It seems to include the best of both the worlds of coffee and tea.

Coffee is a seasonal crop and the idea of harvesting the leaves during the off season, to provide year long employment, is gaining popularity. People seem to like the taste of it and in some parts of the world it is taken in place of coffee because coffee is more expensive.

Coffee leaf tea has an interesting history. It has been used in parts of Africa since antiquity. It is called Kuti in Ethiopia and was used by the Ethiopian people for centuries before roasting coffee beans was invented. Coffee producers in Sumatra and Java tried to popularize coffee-leaf tea back in the 19th century and it was displayed in the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London  Now efforts are being made again to popularize coffee leaf tea around the globe.

Health benefits include a higher level of antioxidants. The phenols mangiferin and hydroxycinnamic acid are thought to reduce heart disease and diabetes. Further benefits are a reduction of cholesterol levels and protection of brain neurons. Scientists feel that more research needs to be done to confirm the health benefits, but the preliminary work looks promising.

There is very little processing of the product. The coffee leaves are picked and left to dry in the sun. Then they are slightly toasted. Coffee leaf tea is brewed the same way other teas and tisanes are brewed. Add some water to the leaves and let them steep. If you want to try something new, try some coffee leaf tea. Coffee leaf tea can be found in health food stores, and on the internet.



http://www.medicaldaily.com/tea-made-coffee-leaves-may-be-healthier-coffee-or-tea-244263
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/11/05/what-is-coffee-leaf-tea_n_6101778.
http://www.coffeeforums.com/coffee-facts/tea/coffeeleaftea.html
https://focusonfoodsafety.wordpress.com/2013/03/12/the-real-kick-coffee-leaf-tea/

How to Have a Healthy Cup of Coffee

The health benefits of coffee seems to have come to the forefront in research on foods. Most of the research seems to show that coffee is healthy in moderation.

Some of the things coffee may help are:

• Coffee improves liver health
• Contains nutrients
• Contains antioxidants
• Reduces risk of getting type 2 diabetes
• Improves mood and brain power
• Speeds up your metabolism so you burn more calories and aids in weight loss
• Helps prevent certain cancers
• Coffee drinkers live 3-5 years longer than non-coffee drinkers

Having said that, don't start downing pots and pots of coffee. There are some cautions about taking your coffee.

1. Don't drink more than 2 cups a day, 3 at the most. More than that is detrimental. 
2. Don't drink coffee if you are pregnant
3. Coffee is best if taken black with nothing in it.
4. Dark roast is better than light roast
5. Use pure water
6. Stay away from sugar, sugar substitutes and artificial creamers
7. If using a coffee machine use unbleached filters. The bleached ones have been bleached with chlorine which is not good for you.
8. Use organic coffee. Regular coffee is sprayed heavily with pesticides. 

If you must have something in your coffee here are a few ideas. Use Stevia or honey instead of sugar. These are natural sweeteners. For flavor you can use coconut oil, cinnamon or raw cocoa.

Sources:

http://authoritynutrition.com/top-13-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coffee/ 

Castleman, Michael, The New Healing Herbs, 2009, Rodale, 164-173.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270202.php 

Merritt MA, Tzoulaki I, Tworoger SS, De Vivo I, et al. "Investigation of Dietary Factors and Endometrial Cancer Risk Using a Nutrient-wide Association Study Approach in the EPIC and Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and NHSII." Cancer Epidemoiol Biomarkers Prev. 2015 Feb;24(2):466-71

Be sure to check out my web site at www.valerielull.com

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
valerielull923@gmail.com

Dandelions

Dandelions were brought to the United States by immigrants from Euroe. They took over the place and are famous for dandelion wine. Children like to blow the flowers when they have gone to seed. Most people consider this a weed, but the herb is good for many health remedies. Dandelions are a very versatile herb. The leaves are good to eat, often in salads, or in a sandwich. The dried roots are good for a dandelion coffee and the juice of the stems is said to be good for getting rid of warts.

 Perhaps one of the most popular ways of taking dandelion is a herbal tea. It is easy to make and makes a good spring tonic. It is good as a detox because it clenses and tones the liver and it cleanses the blood. It,s also good for the gall bladder, pancreas and kidneys. Dandelion makes a gentle diuretic and can be helpful with PMS.

Dandelions are a powerhouse of nutition containing Vitamins A, B-1, B-2 and B-3, C, and D. It contains the minerals iron, silica, magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and sulfur. It contains some protien and some fats.

Dandelion Coffee

Wash the roots and slice lengthwise. Let the roots dry for a few days. Cut into 1-in. sections and roast on a baking sheet at 375 degrees for 2-4 hours.Turn them regularly so that they can brown evenly. Do not burn. Grind them as needed and use in place of coffee beans.

Dandelion Tea

Use 1 teaspoon of dried dandelion roots. Add 1 cup of boiling water. Steep and enjoy.

Check out my website at www.valerielull.com for more information about herbal teas.

Valerie Lull
Author, Ten Healtlhy Teas
Lullval@hotmail.com