Roasted Dandelion root coffee is a good beverage to look into if you are trying to stop drinking coffee and are looking for a satisfying substitute.
Dandelion root is a bitter tonic which aids digestion, nourishes the liver, acts as a gentle laxative and increases bile production. When roasted, the starches in dandelion root turn to sugar producing a chocolatey brew with lots of body.
In my experience, replacing coffee with tea often leaves the senses wanting as tea lacks the body and robustness of coffee. Dandelion root answers this call.
Roasted Dandelion Root Coffee
- 1 cup cut and sifted dandelion root
- A cast iron pan
- A wooden spoon or spatula
Dump all of the dandelion root into the cast iron pan. Turn the heat under the pan on 2 or 3 (low) and stir the dandelion root around constantly, allowing it to slowly brown while taking care that it doesn’t burn. When it begins to smell like brownies and has darkened to a rich brown color, it is ready.
Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container.
To prepare Dandelion Coffee:
Place 2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of roasted dandelion root in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then turn down heat and simmer on low for 15 minutes, adding more water to replace any that boils away.
After 15 minutes you may strain the Dandelion brew into a cup and add milk and/or sweetener if you like before drinking it.
(I prefer my coffee with milk and if you do too, I suggest the following additional step.)
After 15 minutes of boiling the Dandelion root add a half cup or so of the milk of your choosing to the pan. (I use cow or goat milk but plant based milks may work as well.) Bring back up to a simmer for 5 more minutes.
Strain into a cup and add honey or other sweetener if you wish.
When the milk is simmered for a few minutes in the pan with the Dandelion root, I find that it tones the bitterness of the root down a little. It also results in a much richer tasting brew than one made by adding milk straight to the strained out Dandelion coffee without boiling them together first.
Dandelion Mocha
Prepare dandelion coffee with milk as outlined above. In a cup, mix 1 heaping tablespoon of cocoa powder and 1-2 teaspoons of honey or maple syrup. Mix the powder and the honey or syrup together until you have a uniform paste. Pour a 1/4 cup of the prepared hot dandelion coffee into the cup and stir until paste dissolves. Fill the rest of the cup with dandelion coffee. Stir again and drink.