Coffee Alternatives

Carob Powder

Carob powder is made from carob pods, which are harvested from the carob tree. It’s a great alternative to cocoa powder. The carob seeds can be either dried or roasted. Roasting provides that chocolate flavor.

Traditionally, carob has been used as a sweetener and to make juice drinks. Carob pods have also been eaten as dried fruit and used to make syrup for relieving sore throat and coughs.

Today, carob is often used as a substitute for chocolate in baking cakes, cookies, waffles, pies, muffins etc.

For a delicious carob powder drink, try the Dutch Treat. Simply blend carob powder with full cream, skim or soy milk, cinnamon, honey and vanilla extract. You could also add some corn starch  to thicken.

Benefits of Carob Powder:

• Aids digestion
• Lowers LDL cholesterol levels
• Relieves diarrhoea in infants and adults
• Relieves asthma (whether or not caused by allergies)
• Acts as an expectorant
• Carob is caffeine free
• Eases coughs and colds
• Contains Gallic acid
• Helps prevent polio
• Contains vitamins A, B, B2, B3, and D
• Rich in fiber

Carob Pods

Teeccino Tea

What is Teeccino?

Teeccino is a relatively new caffeine free herbal coffee alternative. The blend of herbs, nuts, grains and fruits is roasted and ground up. It is brewed just like coffee. The flavor is full-bodied and dark roasted just like coffee, without the acidic taste or the caffeine.

Benefits of Teeccino:

• Rich in potassium
• Naturally caffeine free – no chemical processing
• Alkaline based to reduce acidity
• High in inulin
• Improves digestion
• Helps absorb calcium and minerals

Benefits of Potassium:

• Stimulates nerve conduction
• Helps muscle function
• Regulates the blood’s acid-alkali balance and water balance

Potassium rich foods include:

• Fresh fruit
• Fresh vegetables
• Whole grains
• Nuts
• Soya beans
• Seafood

Benefits of Fibre:

• Essential for healthy bowel function
• Protects against bowel disease and gallstones
• Reduces cholesterol levels

Fibre rich foods:

• Vegetables
• Pulses
• Beans
• Seeds
• Bran

Benefits of Inulin:

• Naturally occurring polysaccharide
• It’s a soluble fibre
• Helps lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels
• May help manage diabetes
• Stimulates good health

Inulin rich foods:

• Garlic
• Chicory
• Leek
• Wheat
• Dandelion
• Onion
• Agave

Excess intake of inulin may lead to minor side effects for people with fructose malabsorption. This includes loose stools and increased flatulence.

Rooibos Tea

Rooibos Tea (also known as red bush, bush tea, redbush tea and red tea) originates from South Africa. The red bush from which Rooibos originates is grown in South Africa’s southwestern Cape region. The prickly bush can grow up to five feet tall. Harvesting takes place during summer (January to March in South Africa) during which time the plants are cut down to one foot in height.

Being a tisane, Rooibos has many health benefits and is caffeine free. The color is an impressive orange-red when brewed. The taste is neither sweet nor bitter. Other herbs may be blended to help create more body.

Rooibos tea is naturally caffeine free and full of antioxidants much same as green tea. It’s the only known natural source of the potent antioxidant aspalathin.

This nutty tasting herbal tea can be served with milk, honey, sugar or lemon. It can also be brewed and chilled for a refreshing drink throughout the day.

Benefits of Rooibos Red Tea:

• Rich in antioxidants such as aspalathin and nothofagin
• Caffeine free
• Low levels of tannin (about 5%)
• Contains flavonols
• Eases nervous tension
• Helps with allergies
• Aids digestive problems and headaches
• Is used to alleviate insomnia, asthma and dermatological problems
• Soothes infant colic
• No adverse effects have been found

The orange-red color is caused by fermentation. The leaves are immediately dried in the sun after fermentation to avoid oxidation.

Green Rooibos being unfermented, contains more polyphenol antioxidants. When brewed, the color of Green Roibos is tan yellow.

Latte Soy Dandelion Chai Tea, also known as “LSD”

Latte Soy Dandelion Chai

A super healthy coffee to tea alternative with a sweet taste and no caffeine. The LSD chai latte blend consists of dandelion root, licorice root, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves.

Usually, it is served with honey on the side.

LSD Recipe:

To make a Latte Soy Dandelion Chai, choose a good brand of organic Dandelion Latte such as Hari Har or Lipton. Place two teaspoons of Dandelion Chai into your cup and mix with a good brand of soy milk.

It’s a great drink for easing headaches and also works to cleanse the liver.

Benefits of Soybean:

Soybean

• Good source of calcium for strong bones and teeth
• Promotes normal function of heart muscle
• Healthy blood clotting mechanisms
• Conduction of nerve impulses
• Improves muscle function
• Contains Lysine, one of the amino acids which inhibits attacks of genital herpes after contracting the virus

Benefits of Dandelion:

(also known as Lion’s teeth, fairy clock)

Dandelion Flower

• Activates the whole of the digestive tract and the liver
• Increases the flow of digestive juices
• Enhances appetite
• Eases digestion
• Cleanses the liver
• Used traditionally for liver disease, jaundice, hepatitis and gallbladder infections
• Helps dissolve gallstones
• When the liver is not functioning optimally, dandelion relives symptoms such as tiredness, irritability, skin problems and headaches
• Stimulates the pancreas in insulin secretion – good for diabetes
• Mildly laxative
• As a diuretic, it helps water retention, cellulite, urinary infections and prostate problems
• Unlike other diuretics, Dandelion replaces potassium lost through increased urination

Dandelion is used for the following ailments:

Dandelion Plant

• Premenstrual syndrome
• Painful periods
• Heavy bleeding
• Amenorrhea
• Menstrual headaches
• Infertility
• Anaemia
• Constipation
• Haemorrhoids
• Bladder/kidney problems
• Edema
• High blood pressure
• Engorged breasts during breastfeeding
• Inflamed breasts/mastitis
• Osteoporosis
• Boils
• Cold sores
• Benign mammary dysplasia breast abscess
• Endometriosis
• Vaginal/vulva infections
• Genital herpes
• Genital warts
• Fibroids
• Ovarian cysts
• Breast cancer

After a stressful day, sit down with a Latte Soy Dandelion and put some goodness back in your body, minus the caffeine.

Chai

Chai Tea or Masala Chai is a spiced tea originating from India. The tea is brewed with a mixture of fragrant herbs and spices.
In South Asia, chai refers to plain tea, whereas English speaking countries know chai as the spiced tea, formally called Masala Chai. Cafes and coffee shops make chai latte by flavouring the steamed milk with spiced tea. Some also include espresso in the Chai Tea Latte and refer to this as dirty chai or “turbochaiger”.
The spices typically include cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, star anise, peppercorn and cloves. Other possible herbs and spices include liquorice root, nutmeg and rose flavouring.
Chai can be made with green tea, which usually includes almond, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and saffron flavourings).
Chai tea is available in supermarkets as an instant mix or liquid concentrate.
Here are some benefits of the herbs and spices included in Chai Tea:

Cardamom

• an intense aromatic fragrance with a strong, unique taste
• used to treat teeth and gum infections
• prevents and treats sore throats
• aids lung congestion
• pulmonary tuberculosis
• inflammation of eyelids
• digestive disorders
• breaks up kidney stones and gall stones

Cinnamon

• a delicious aromatic spice
• stimulates circulation
• acts as a nerve tonic
• prevents and resolves flu, colds, catarrh and other infections
• helps to reduce fevers
• energizes
• warms
• relaxes
• reduces anxiety and stress
• relives cramps and colic
• warms and stimulates the digestive system

Ginger

• a pungent and warming herb
• stimulating effect on the heart and circulation
• creates feelings of warmth and wellbeing
• restores vitality
• helps fevers and catarrh
• expels phlegm and relieves coughs and chest infections
• aids digestion
• invigorates the stomach and intestines
• stimulates appetite and
• enhances digestion
• moves stagnation of food and subsequent accumulation of toxins
• enhances immunity
• relieves nausea and vomiting
• settles the stomach
• calms wind
• relaxing and pain-relieving effects
• relieves abdominal pain, flatulent indigestion and griping caused by diarrhoea
• promotes menstruation, useful for delayed and scanty periods as well as clots
• relieves painful ovulation and periods
• invigorates the reproductive system
• inhibits clotting and thins the blood
• lowers blood pressure and cholesterol

Star Anise (also known as star aniseed, badiane, Chinese star anise)

• this spice is made from a star shaped fruit which is harvested just before ripening
• helps rheumatism
• aids digestion
• helps relive cold-stagnation
• warming

Peppercorns

• a hot, woody, citrusy, floral spice to flavor
• the fiery spice stimulates energy and enhances vitality
• it has long been used along with other peppers to increase sexual energy and fertility and to prolong life

Cloves

• primarily a culinary herb
• stimulates and warms
• lifts the spirits
• relaxes tension
• increases energy
• acts as a tonic and antispasmodic to uterine muscles, preparing them for childbirth

Liquorice Root

For benefits of Liquorice Root in tea, see Liquorice Tea

The herbs and spices in Chai Tea act to warm and revitalize the body, making a fantastic alternative to coffee.

The Siberian Ginseng Tea although named ginseng, Siberian Ginseng Tea is the adaptogen Eleutherococcus Senticosus. Unlike traditional Ginseng, Siberian Ginseng comes from a woody rather than a fleshy root. The active compound is eleutherosides as opposed to ginsenosides.

Although the chemical makeup is different from Chinese Ginseng, both herbs have similar effect. Being antioxidant and an immune tonic, Siberian Ginseng can provide many benefits.

Benefits of Siberian Ginseng Tea:

• Helps fight fatigue, stress and neurasthenia
• Relieves sore muscles associated with the hypo functioning of the endocrine system
• May alleviate symptoms associated with adrenal exhaustion such as dark under eye circles, quivering tongue and dilating pupils.
• Can provide increased endurance
• Improves memory
• Mild anti-inflammatory properties
• Enhances immune function
• Decreases cortisol levels
• Promotes improved cognitive and physical performance
• More tonifying than true Ginsengs
• May reduce the need for high blood pressure medication – consult your doctor

Disadvantages of Siberian Ginseng Tea:

• May cause light sleep (preferably avoid drinking this tea in the evening)
• Cheaper non-GMP versions can include Periploca graeca (the ornamental Silk Vine) which can intensify the effect of digoxin or similar drugs.

Black Tea like it cousin green tea, it’s also made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis. It is however more oxidized than oolong, green and white teas. Generally, black tea has a stronger flavor and contains more caffeine. The flavor remains for several years whereas Green tea generally turns bland within a year.

Black tea can be served with milk, cream, sugar and honey. It can also be mixed with citrus fruits such as lemon or orange, their rinds and spices such as cinnamon. Even though these concoctions can appear to be herbal teas, they are not. Herbal teas do not contain caffeine.

Many blends have been concocted to alter the taste. Some include:

• English Breakfast – being full-bodied and rich in flavor, this blend is best suited with milk and sugar or honey
• Earl Grey – blended with bergamot oil. Begamot is a citrus fruit with a pleasant fragrance with a slightly sour yet bitter taste.
• Irish Breakfast – containing a blend of several black teas. It’s a strong, full bodied and malty brew. Can be consumed straight, blended with milk, lemon or sugar.
• Chai or Masala Chai – a combination of black tea with spices, milk and sugar or honey.
• Ceylon – has a crisp citrusy aroma.

Benefits of black tea:

• In patients with coronary artery disease, it reverses endothelial vasomotor dysfunction.
• Decrease in cardiovascular disease events

Disadvantages of black tea:

• Adding milk inhibits vascular protective effects of black tea.

Licorice Tea (also known as Liquorice Tea) is derived from the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra. The taste is sweet and provides many beneficial and healing properties. The tea comes in a black or white blend. Black licorice tea is made by boiling the licorice root. White licorice tea is a blend of white tea (which comes from Camellia Sinsesis) and licorice extract.

Due to the strong taste, some like a blend with additional herbs and spices such as ginger and mint.

Benefits of Licorice Tea:

• Reduced stress levels
• Helps stomach problems including vomiting and ulcers
• Acts as a mild laxative
• Reduces headaches
• Assists with the flu, colds and sore throats
• Relieves skin conditions and inflammations
• Helps arthritis
• Relives symptoms of menopause
• Helps people coming off orthodox steroid drugs
• Lowers stomach acid levels
• Relives heartburn and indigestion
• Aids inflammation, irritation and spasms in the digestive tract
• Soothes coughs, asthma and chest infections
• Helpful in relieving fevers
• Soothes pain such as headaches
• Anti-allergenic effect useful for hay fever, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma and conjunctivitis
• Great for times of stress, after surgery, during rehabilitation or when feeling tired or run down

Added benefits of White Licorice Tea:

• Increases energy
• Fights viral, bacterial and fungal infections
• Aids in the production of interferon (which boosts the immune system)
• Helps prevent some cancers including colon and prostate cancers
• Rich in antioxidants

Negative effects of Licorice Tea:

• Prolonged consumption of large amounts has been reported to cause heart problems and nervous system disorders (this was largely attributed to consuming a jug per day for over a decade).

Green tea is a powerful antioxidant originating from China. Made solely from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, it provides a multitude of health benefits.  The tea leaves undergo minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea can come in different varieties with diverse benefits for varying conditions. The varieties differ based on growing conditions, harvesting time and methods processing.

Drunk hot, green tea provides a warming yet refreshing alternative to coffee. You can also leave the concoction to cool with lemon and honey and refrigerate to make a healthy substitute for drinking cold water, cordial or fizzy drinks throughout the day.

Health Benefits of Green Tea:

• Rich source of polyphenols and antioxidants.
• Keeps low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the harmful form of cholesterol, from sticking to artery walls. This means lower cholesterol levels.
• Assists weight loss
• Lowers risk of heart disease
• Helps with prevention of diabetes
• Reduces the risk of developing certain types of cancer
• Induces thermogenesis and stimulates fat oxidation which in turn helps with weight loss management
• Raises metabolism
• Undergoes less processing than black tea
• Beneficial for the eyes, recommended for persons using the computer all day
• Fights viral and bacterial infections
• Applied topically, can prevent  or even reverse sun and age damage to the skin
• Contains protective compounds

Disadvantages of Green Tea:

• Although much less than coffee, it still contains caffeine which can cause insomnia, nausea and frequent urination (since it’s a diuretic).
• Large quantities of green tea can cause damage to the liver and kidneys. 

Cocoa powder, cocoa or cacao is the nonfat part of chocolate, the other part being cocoa butter. It is derived by grinding cocoa seeds and removing the cocoa butter from the cocoa solids.  It’s bitter in taste and depending on which press method is used, it can taste somewhat acidic.  It’s a relatively inexpensive alternative to coffee. Hot cocoa powder is generally bitter but can be blended with milk and sugar.

Benefits of cocoa powder:

• Contains a high level of flavonoids
• Helps cardiovascular health
• Can help LDL cholesterol levels in the short term
• Improves blood flow
• Enhances memory and learning abilities
• High antioxidant concentration
• Rich source of magnesium

Negatives of cocoa powder:

• Contains caffeine, although this can be very low (from 0.1 to 0.5%)
• Contains sugar