Replace coffee: 9 alternatives with or without caffeine

Insomnia, heartburn, palpitations can be side effects of coffee consumption. There are equally tasty and energizing drinks that do not cause an arousal effect. In case of pregnancy, hypertension, insomnia or heart problems, it is often advisable to reduce coffee consumption, which can be replaced by one of the following substitutes.

chicory

Chicory root can be roasted, ground and brewed into a hot drink. It tastes similar to coffee but does not contain caffeine. It’s also a rich source of inulin which can aid digestion and promote a healthy gut, helping the growth of beneficial bacteria, like bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.

Just brew it like regular coffee. Use 2 tablespoons per 180 ml of water. Be careful, chicory root can cause bloating.

Matcha tea

Matcha is a green tea obtained by steaming, drying and crushing the leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis into a fine powder. Unlike infusable green tea, the whole leaf is consumed through powdering, inducing even greater antioxidant consumption. In Japan, matcha is often favored during the famous tea ceremony, it is well known in the West in the form of “matcha latte”, ie mixed with a vegetable drink or milk.

Traditional preparation: prepare 2 bamboo spoonfuls or half a teaspoon of powder, all mixed at 70-80 ml of water heated to 80°C. Using a fine sieve, sift the matcha powder into a bowl to avoid lumps when whisking. Cover the powder with cold to lukewarm water. Thus, it will dissolve more easily. Now whip the powder by describing rapid movements from right to left with the whisk until you obtain foam and a homogeneous green paste. Infuse this paste in hot water, and enjoy.

Read also : Matcha: health benefits of Japanese green tea

barley coffee

For coffee addicts, barley coffee is a real alternative due to its similar flavor and appearance, while being caffeine free. With a flavor of bread or roasted hazelnuts, this local drink owes its sustained aromas to the pounded and roasted barley grains that make it up. It is a real source of vitamins and fibers, precious aids for a good transit.

Bring water to a boil from a saucepan or kettle Pour 3 tablespoons of barley into the bottom of a cup and leave to infuse for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently.

golden milk

Golden milk (or golden milk) does not contain caffeine. This comforting hot drink contains spices such as ginger, cinnamon, turmeric and black pepper, cardamom, vanilla or honey. In addition, to being of a beautiful golden color, it has excellent anti-inflammatory properties, thanks in particular to the synergy of turmeric and black pepper.

In a saucepan, heat 200 ml of vegetable milk over medium heat with ½ teaspoon of turmeric, a pinch of cinnamon, a pinch of ginger and a pinch of pepper. Whisk the mixture until it boils. Leave to rest on low heat for about ten minutes. Filter the preparation by pouring it into a cup. Add a spoon of honey and mix. Serve your golden milk in a glass. You can decorate your drink by sprinkling a little cinnamon.

lemon water

Lemon water is a great way to start the day. This drink contains no calories or caffeine and provides a good dose of vitamin C to the body. As an antioxidant, vitamin C strengthens the immune system and protects the skin from the sun. It is possible to add other fruits and herbs to this drink to vary the flavors: cucumber slices, mint leaves, pieces of watermelon or basil, raspberries, etc.

Rinse a quarter of a lemon, squeeze it directly into your glass of water with your hands or a citrus press.

Yerba mate

Yerba mate is a naturally caffeinated herbal tea made from the dried leaves of the South American holly, holly paraguriensis. It is rich in beneficial plant compounds that act as antioxidants. This drink also contains several minerals and vitamins, including riboflavin, thiamin, phosphorus, iron, calcium and vitamins C and E. However, yerba mate should be consumed in moderation because it contains caffeine, and can , in high doses, cause digestion problems.

Put 4 spoons or 4 infusettes of mate in 1 liter of simmering water. Leave to infuse between 5 and 8 minutes and filter. Leave the preparation to cool. You can then add lemon juice, honey, sugar according to your convenience.

Chai tea

Chai tea is a black tea mixed with herbs and spices (cinnamon, star anise, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves…), often served with milk or a vegetable drink (almond, oats…). Please note, black tea contains theine, so it can be considered a stimulant, to be consumed in moderation and avoided after 5 p.m.

Both black and green teas are made from the Camellia sinensis plant, but black tea goes through a fermentation process that changes its chemical makeup. Yet both types of tea seem to have powerful antioxidant properties.

First heat the water with the sugar, tea and spices. Leave to bubble for 3-4 minutes before adding the cold milk and bring to the boil again. Taste and add spices or sugar (or honey) if needed, or dilute with more milk. At the first broth with the milk, remove from the heat and filter through a colander, pour into the cup, making it foam.

Also read: 5 misconceptions about tea

Rooibos tea

Rooibos or red tea is a caffeine-free drink that originated in South Africa. Unlike coffee and other teas, rooibos is low in antioxidant tannins. However, red tea provides a substantial amount of other antioxidants. Be aware that rooibos has a longer steeping time than most teas. This tea has a slightly sweet and fruity flavor.

Pour the rooibos into a basket inside a teapot. Pour the simmering, almost boiling water into the teapot and drop the rooibos into it. Close the teapot, and let steep for at least 5 minutes, see 2 minutes more depending on your taste. Serve the tea and leave to cool for a few moments before tasting.

With kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented drink made from black tea, yeast and sugar. The fermentation process creates a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast, called a scoby. After fermentation, kombucha contains probiotics, acetic acid, and antioxidants, all of which may have health benefits. Attention, Alcohol is a natural by-product of kombucha fermentation.

Prepare a sweet tea. Add a kombucha mother and let it ferment. The fermentation jar is kept at room temperature and covered with a fabric that allows the kombucha to breathe while protecting it from impurities (dust and insects). During this time (10 to 15 days), yeasts and bacteria transform the sweetened tea into kombucha. The more time goes by, the less sweet it is and the more acidic it is. The kombucha is bottled and left for a few days at room temperature. It is at this moment that the sparkling wine is created.

How to stop drinking coffee?

If you’re a regular drinker, quitting coffee doesn’t have to happen overnight. It is indeed advisable to gradually reduce the quantities, at the risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms: headaches, dizziness, insomnia, mood swings, etc. You may then start drinking coffee again, or even take medications that contain caffeine to relieve symptoms.

To successfully reduce your caffeine intake, you can:

• gradually reduce the amount of coffee: for example, go from 3 cups a day to 2 for a few days, then to 1 cup before stopping completely;
• limit your consumption of tea and carbonated and energy drinks (like low-fat cola or not, etc.);
• replace cold caffeinated beverages with water. Water is a healthy choice that naturally removes caffeine from your body, while keeping you hydrated;
• gradually replace regular coffee with decaffeinated (preferably choose organic to avoid toxic solvents).

What to replace coffee with during pregnancy?

Those who wish, during their pregnancy, to reduce their consumption of coffee and stimulants, can opt for hot water with honey, lemon water, chicory or barley coffee. Do not forget the herbal teas that will make you enjoy the benefits of plants, such as chamomile or lavender with soothing properties, ideal especially if you suffer from insomnia.