Chicory

• The root of the perennial flower, chicory, is often used as a coffee substitute. The root is dried, ground and prepared similarly to coffee. Chicory is more soluble in water than coffee, so a smaller amount is needed to make a drink than you need for brewing coffee. Chicory is caffeine free and can be mixed with coffee to cut down on the caffeine. Some retail coffees are cut with chicory root. Its flavor is very similar to that of coffee, with a sweet, almost chocolaty back note.

Teecinno

• Teecinno is an herbal alternative to coffee. It is a combination of roasted grains and nuts, but has a rich flavor very similar to coffee. Like coffee, Teecinno can be brewed and comes in a variety of flavors. Teecinno is naturally caffeine free, but is made to be brewed just like coffee. Its overall flavor is very similar to that of coffee, but with a hint of citrus.

Spiced Teas

• There are many spiced teas that can be used as a coffee substitute. Roastaroma is one particular caffeine-free option that is made of roasted chicory and barley combined with of herbs and spices. Chai is another more common spiced tea that has nearly the same amount of caffeine as coffee, unless it is designated as caffeine-free. Both of these drinks are typically sold in bags for steeping as tea but their flavor is similar to coffee or of a deep-roasted tea.

Soy Coffee

• Soy coffee is made from roasted soy beans and is prepared by brewing, much like regular coffee. Soy coffee is caffeine free with claims that it also has many health benefits. Compared to coffee, soy coffee is slightly more savory and its taste is quite different.

Herbal Tea

• Any herb can be dried and steeped in hot water to replace typical tea varieties such as oolong or pekoe. There are hundreds of varieties of herbal teas including peony, yerba mate and genmiacha. Each herbal tea has a different flavor, but herbal teas are typically chosen for their medicinal properties.