8 Caffeine-Free Coffee Alternatives
Why talk about caffeine-free coffee alternatives? When discussing hormone balance, stress or cortisol imbalances are often a contributing factor or part of the underlying root cause. Since caffeine found in coffee can stimulate our stress response, if we are having issues with either high or low cortisol it may be beneficial to do a caffeine reset and opt for some caffeine-free alternatives so we can still enjoy our morning routine, while keeping our stress response balanced.
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Here are 8 caffeine-free coffee alternatives:
1. Dandy Blend
Dandy Blend is a gluten-free and caffeine-free coffee alternative that contains five ingredients: barley, rye, dandelion, chicory and beet roots. While barley and rye DO contain gluten, this product does not contain barley and rye, but rather water extracts from processing. You can read more about this on their website. Dandy Blend is a great caffeine-free coffee alternative because it actually tastes like coffee. It’s a powder that can be used just like a caffeine-free instant coffee. It’s a wonderful caffeine-free coffee alternative if you’re missing the taste of coffee.
2. Herbal Tea
There are SO many different options to choose from, making herbal tea a wonderful caffeine-free coffee alternative. My favorite brand is Traditional Medicinals - they have so many different herbal teas to choose from that not only taste great but have specific health benefits as well. Whether you’re looking to lower inflammation with a turmeric tea, support digestion with a peppermint or ginger tea, or relax with a cup of chamomile or lavender tea you can really have fun trying out a few to find your favorite herbal tea as a caffeine-free coffee alternative.
3. Golden Milk
Golden Milk is a turmeric latte and is a great caffeine-free coffee alternative with anti-inflammatory benefits. Turmeric contains a phytochemical (beneficial plant component) call curcumin which helps the body fight free radicals, which lead to oxidative damage in the body. Curcumin is what gives turmeric it’s yellow color. The body can use curcumin better when combined with black pepper, because it contains another phytochemical called piperine that helps with the absorption. Check out my Golden Milk recipe here.
4. Adaptogen Latte
There is a lot of buzz about adaptogens right now. Basically they are a group of herbs that each offer different beneficial effects on the body to help adapt to stress. You can find them in powdered form and are great to make warm or cold lattes as a caffeine-free coffee alternative. I recommend the brand Four Sigmatic or purchasing online in bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs. Check out the benefits of different adaptogens here.
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5. Roobios Tea
Roobios tea is another great caffeine-free coffee alternative. It is an herbal tea that is also known as red tea. It comes from fermenting the leaves of a specific shrub that turns them a reddish color. Roobios tea does not contain caffeine, unlike green or black tea.
6. Spicy Ginger Tea
Spicy Ginger Tea is one of my homemade caffeine-free teas I like to make to boost digestion or whenever a cold is coming on. It has lemon, which helps to support stomach acid production that is important for proper digestion. Ginger helps to ease digestive issues, cinnamon helps to improve insulin sensitivity, and turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that we just talked about. Add some raw or local honey for some sweetness (and if you feel a sore throat coming on). Check out my Spicy Ginger Tea recipe here.
7. Herbal Chai
Chai tea is often a blend of black tea with other spices. Herbal chai is basically all of the spices you would find in a chai tea without the black tea, making it a great caffeine-free coffee alternative. You can try making your own blend with cinnamon, cloves, black peppercorns, fennel, ginger, and astragalus. Try mixing with non-dairy milk for an herbal chai latte.
8. Decaf Coffee
Decaf coffee (or decaffeinated coffee) has about 5-10 mg per cup, which is SIGNIFICANTLY lower than the average 100 mg in a cup of regular coffee. This is a great option if you are looking to lower your caffeine amount but still want that coffee taste you’re used to, making it a great almost caffeine-free coffee alternative.
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