By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern
I have always been a huge fan of coffee. Even before I started to work at a coffee shop, I loved making it at home and experimenting with different brewing methods.
While coffee is a great way to get a little boost of energy, coffee is definitely not for everyone. If that’s the case for you, here are a few coffee alternatives from registered dietician Amy Richter.
- Chicory Coffee
Chicory coffee is just what it sounds like. It’s “coffee grounds” but made from chicory root. The taste is very similar to the taste of coffee, and it is naturally caffeine-free! It is also an amazing source of inulin, a fiber that is very beneficial to gut health.
- Matcha
Matcha is ground up green tea leaves. Green tea is an amazing source of antioxidants, and matcha gives you an even more powerful punch of them, as you’re consuming the entire leaf rather than just steeping it.
- Golden Milk
Golden milk is a drink made from milk and spices including ginger, turmeric, cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, and sometimes honey and vanilla. It offers a lot of anti-inflammatory benefits thanks to the turmeric.
- Lemon Water
Lemon water is one of the simplest drinks to make yourself. Besides being calorie-free and caffeine-free, lemon water is incredibly refreshing and offers a punch of vitamin C.
- Yerba Mate
Yerba mate is a caffeinated herbal tea that has almost as much caffeine as coffee. It is chock full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
- Chai Tea
Chai tea is a black tea that has lots of strong spices added to it. Chai is delicious by itself or mixed with your favorite kind of milk for a chai tea latte. Since it is a black tea, it does have a little bit of caffeine in it.
- Rooibos
Rooibos tea is neither a green tea or a black tea. It’s actually a red tea! It is caffeine-free and unlike typical green tea or black tea which have a bitter tea taste to them, rooibos tea is actually slightly sweet and fruity tasting.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
While apple cider vinegar is incredibly acidic and bitter, taking a little bit with some water actually offers some great health benefits. Apple cider vinegar can help to lower blood sugar and increase insulin sensitivity. It can also help you to feel fuller after meals and reduce the urge to eat more.
- Kombucha
Kombucha is a drink made from fermented black tea. It is an amazing source of probiotics and antioxidants. Due to the fermentation process, it is naturally fizzy, which makes it nice and refreshing.
While coffee will always be my go-to drink, it’s understandable that some don’t prefer it whether it be because of caffeine content or bitter taste. These coffee alternatives are a great substitute!
For more health and food articles, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!