Homemade healthy tea that tastes like coffee

Last Updated on October 10, 2024 by Michelle

I didn’t know I needed a decaf tea that tastes like coffee. Until I stumbled across one.

In fact, I loved this “coffee tea” so much, I had to experiment with making my own blend, and I have to say… WOW, this is a keeper.

It turns out, officially, this tea that tastes like coffee isn’t tea either.

Fun facts about this tea that tastes like coffee

As it turns out, all official tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant. But this tea we’re talking about today is made from parts of a chicory plant, dandelion roots, and a spice, so officially it’s an herbal tea.

It’s an herbal tea that tastes like coffee. Crazy, right? But deliciously true.

Another fun fact? Chicory, which is a perennial plant (Cichorium intybus), offers such a deeply roasted flavor, some say it tastes more like coffee than coffee does. In fact, many coffee manufacturers add chicory to their coffee to cut down on caffeine content while boosting flavor.

Turns out, today I’m nationally recognized as a chicory expert.

A national news network interviewed me to pick my brain about all things “not coffee” for National Coffee Day. Read the article & watch the video of me harvesting my chicory in my New England garden right here.

Chicory even makes amazing lattes, frozen coffee, and more

Go here for all my chicory drink recipes.

Reasons to drink this tea that tastes like coffee?

When I did a little research I was shocked at all the health benefits that seem to come from all three of the ingredients in this tea: chicory, dandelion root, and cinnamon. I also realized I can grow and preserve 2 of the 3 ingredients right in my own backyard!

When I faced some dental issues and the dentist told me I needed to cut back on acidic drinks (think coffee) and all sweeteners in drinks (I do love maple in my tea) I was elated to realize this amazing cup of tea has zero acid and when I sweeten it with stevia I have a totally dental-friendly drink to sip on all day, without any unhappy dental visits.

Chicory

I was excited to read that chicory root contains inulin. I learned a lot about inulin when I wrote my book. Inulin is a complex carbohydrate, or a natural fiber, that’s a sort of prebiotic. Amazingly enough, inulin works to encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria in our guts, which can help with digestion, inflammation, and lowering blood sugar. And it tastes great? Score. (btw, dandelion root has inulin too… read below for details on that and lots more.)

I get my chicory root from my favorite tea company, they actually sell the chicory root as an adaptogen in their botanical line. Code SOULYRESTED saves you $$.

Speaking of great tastes, the dandelion root is another surprisingly delicious taste for a tea blend that you want to taste like coffee. The roots add an earthy, nutty undertone to your cup of tea.

While you could use the dandelion plant to make a sweeter tea, the dandelion’s roots–when dried, cut, and roasted–are a great alternative to dark coffee. And dandelion root is naturally slightly sweet because of natural fructose.

As for its health benefits? The dandelion plant is known for its detoxifying quality, but I came across so many medical reports about the health benefits of dandelion root that I had to share more details below (and I link to the studies as well).

I get my dandelion root via Azure Standard. Find out if they deliver in your area here. You can also grab some dandelion root right here.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a powerful spice that boasts of amazing health claims (in fact, it falls #1 for antioxidants on a list of the 26 most popular spices in the world).

So it’s no surprise that cinnamon has been used medicinally around the world for thousands of years. But not just for its high levels of antioxidants. It also boasts of other health benefits:

• antibacterial,
• antifungal, and
• anti-diabetic properties.

So while cinnamon chips are optional in this homemade bulk tea, I can’t imagine why you would want to leave it out.

I get my cinnamon chips via Azure Standard. Find out if they deliver in your area here. You can also grab some cinnamon chips right here.

Why add dandelion root to a tea that tastes like coffee?

As I mentioned above, I stumbled across so many scientific articles about the benefits of dandelion root, I had to share some of them here:

Dandelion root is loaded with inulin, a fiber that’s found in plants. Inulin supports healthy gut bacteria in your digestive tract. (source) 

Roots are rich in antioxidants, including polyphenols—which are micronutrients that are essential to our overall health. (source)

One interesting study found that dandelion extract significantly reduced inflammation in cells  (source)

And I love it that dandelion extract may help you manage your weight, pretty cool, yes? (source)

Quite a few studies have found that dandelion root extract seems to slow the growth of cancer cells. (source 1, source 2, source 3, and source 4)

Because it’s a good source of inulin, dandelion improves gut health! (source 1, source 2) 

It’s so encouraging that studies have documented that dandelion extract significantly reduces a viruses’ ability to replicate. (source 1, source 2)

And other research shows that compounds in dandelion protect against  harmful bacteria. Amazing, no? (source)

What does it cost to make tea that tastes like coffee?

Here’s the amount of ingredients I needed to make a bulk blend of 6 cups (or 1.5 pounds) worth of tea (see links to where I source these organic ingredients in the recipe below):

4 oz organic roasted dandelion root ( I did use all of this)

1 lb roasted chicory root (I had 3.75 oz left over for my next batch)

1 lb cinnamon chips ( I had 9.25 oz left over, so this amt of cinnamon makes a double bulk batch)

So my total cost for the ingredients I used to make my bulk batch (6 cups total) of this amazing tea that tastes like coffee? $27.39

Sidenote–the cinnamon is a great deal because it includes 3 types of cinnamon in one (there are only 4 types total):

1. Cinnamomum verum–this ceylon cinnamon is called “Mexican cinnamon.” It’s herbal and savory, not overly sweet
2. Cinnamomum burmannii–this one is a common cinnamon that is mild and well-loved
3. Cinnamomum loureiroi–this Vietnamese cinnamon is the hardest to find. It’s the cinnamon grown for royalty and it’s super sweet & super spicy

If I steep 1 TB per mug to make my tea that tastes like coffee, my bulk batch will make 96 large mugs of tea. btw, my mugs are generous 16 oz or more (I can’t stand a whimpy mug), so officially this is 192 cups of tea.

Total cost per 8 oz serving? 15 cents. Wowzer!

Where can I buy tea that tastes like coffee?

Sourcing your ingredients and blending your own tea is definitely a big added step that I totally understand isn’t for everyone. If that is you, I gotcha covered!

If you’re not interested in blending your own and would rather support an amazing small family business, in Oregon, the heart of small town America, I have found an amazing source for you. It’s a top-notch company that I adore. And you can trust all the ingredients are organic and hand-blended with Farmhouse Teas.

Which of these teas is the best?

I’ve tried them all, and am hard pressed to choose a favorite, so instead I’ll break down which ones I prefer with (or without) maple syrup (because, afterall, I did write the book on all things maple 🙂 )

The Chocolate Not Coffee is a perfect dessert substitute and I prefer it without any added sweetener, so the subtle chocolate taste shines.

On the other hand, the Hazelnut Not Coffee has a wonderfully detailed taste profile that (in my opinion) lends itself to the slightly “sour” side, so added maple syrup gives it a wonderful balance.

The Plain Jane Not Coffee is delicious either with or without sweetener, depending on my mood, but don’t let the name fool you… it’s anything but “plain.”

And the Sugarmakers Not Coffee is best without sweetener, in my opinion, so you can taste the natural flavors of the tea itself.

So go ahead and choose one of these amazing chickory-based teas that taste like coffee and let me know your thoughts. They’re all delicious! And be sure to use code SOULYRESTED on every order you place with this fabulous family-run business. My friend, Ceanne, will give you an additional 10% off your total!–>

Sugarmakers Not-Coffee Tea

Mountain Hazel Not-Coffee Tea

Chocolate Conniption Not-Coffee Tea

Plain Jane Not-Coffee Tea

Why I love my instant hot water heater

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Chicory Tea that Tastes like Coffee (single serving)

Ingredients

• 1 tsp cinnamon chips
• 1 tsp dandelion root
• 2 tsp chicory

Instructions

• Mix all 3 ingredients and steep 1/2 TB in 8 oz of hot water.
• Steep at 195F for a minimum of 2 minutes (But you really can't over steep it, and you can use any temperature of hot water. This tea is very forgiving.)

How to Make a Bulk Amount of this Tea that Tastes Like Coffee

INGREDIENTS

1 cup cinnamon chips

DIRECTIONS

Mix all three ingredients and store in a quart-size mason jar. I love this lid because it has a great seal (important to keep your tea fresh) but an easy flip lid (important when I’m making multiple cups of this deliciousness daily). I use these lids, btw, on so many things… herbs, dried fruits, popcorn kernels, rice, and all my teas. If you buy the 4-pack, you save more than the cost of 1 lid and shipping is free if you’re spending $35 or more.

To make a cup, steep 1 TB of tea in hot cup of water.

If you’d like to add a little all-natural, zero-calorie sweetness to your tea, add 1/4 cup of stevia leaves for every 4 cups of your bulk tea. (Or 1 TB of stevia for every 1 cup of tea blend.) I like to have two jars of this in the pantry at all times (one with stevia and one without) because I love this tea sweetened with maple syrup and I also love it totally unsweetened, so for both of those situations I grab the jar made without stevia.

 

Other articles you’ll love:

Teas for Tea Fanatics

Loose Leaf vs. Tea Bags: 7 Things to Compare

Is Tea a Healthy Choice?

Fermented Tea… What is it? and the 5 Best Flavors

Make Chocolate Maple Iced “Coffee” (using this tea that tastes like coffee)

Make Decaf Frozen Coffee Alternative (using this tea that tastes like coffee)

 

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“He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:9

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