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No coffee and yet still caffeinated.

We know, a morning cup of coffee is a sacred thing — and Americans are drinking more coffee now than ever.

But if you’re looking to cut back on caffeine or to find a new coffee-free cup of happiness to drink in the morning, we have you covered in the video below.

Did we get your attention? Cool, check out the recipes below.

Not actually coffee at all, chicory “coffee” is made from roasted chicory root as opposed to coffee beans. It doesn’t contain any caffeine so there’s way less of a buzz.

Its nutty and earthy flavor is also the closest to the traditional taste of coffee, making it a great choice for java lovers looking to decrease their caffeine intake.

This brew provides all of chicory root’s benefits, including prebiotic fiber, vitamin B-6, and anti-inflammatory properties. Chicory root is great for gut health thanks to its inulin fiber content, which aids in bowel function, reduces constipation, and helps maintain a balance of healthy gut bacteria.

Directions

To make chicory coffee, mix 2 tablespoons of ground and toasted chicory root into 1 cup of hot water and wait 10 minutes before drinking.

Anti-inflammatory golden milk is dubbed as such due to the sunny, yellow hue provided by ground turmeric.

Turmeric — the “golden spice” — really does it all. This powerful spice has been shown to provide benefits from easing pain to reducing symptoms of depression. This is thanks to the compound curcumin, which gives turmeric its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Pepper improves turmeric’s bioavailability, making the spice more effective in smaller doses, so it’s a great addition to your cup.

Directions

To make a delicious cup of golden milk, combine ½ teaspoon of ground turmeric with 1 cup milk of choice. Add 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger, honey to taste (optional), and a pinch of both cinnamon and black pepper. Heat in the microwave or on the stovetop until frothy and serve.

Yerba mate, a tea-like concoction made from the Ilex paraguariensis tree, has been used both medicinally and socially for centuries. And now it might be your new favorite coffee-free swap.

Yerba mate contains more antioxidants than any other tea-like drink (yes, including green tea!) and a host of therapeutic benefits. This is thanks to the abundance of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants found in the plant. It also contains caffeine, which is ideal for people looking to ditch the coffee but not the buzz.

This is not only good news for energy levels, but also for increased endurance, healthy weight management, and more.

Directions

To make a cup of yerba mate, steep the leaves in hot water like you would a tea and strain it or use a traditional mate straw (bombilla) and cup, available online.

For a highly nutritious coffee-free swap, sip on a fungi-filled brew. A mushroom elixir is loaded with antioxidants to combat oxidative stress and powerful prebiotics to aid in digestive health.

With all of mushroom’s antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting qualities, there’s more than enough reason to try this earthy beverage. For a serious boost of natural energy, try Cordyceps mushrooms.

Directions

While you can purchase mushroom coffee online, it’s also easy to make your own mushroom elixir at home. To do so, mix 1 teaspoon of mushroom powder with 1 cup of hot water. Sweeten to taste or add your choice of milk, if desired.

It turns out that chia seeds make a pretty great beverage to swap with your cup of joe.

It makes sense. Although these seeds are tiny, they pack a powerful punch of fiber, antioxidants, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and nutrients.

Small-but-mighty chia seeds have been proven to reduce both inflammation and blood pressure and stabilize blood sugar levels.

And as studies on athletes show, chia seeds can be an excellent source of sustained energy and increased endurance.

You can find chia seeds online as well.

Directions

To make this simple, two-ingredient drink, mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds for every 1 cup of water and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes. Make the chia drink your own by adding a touch of honey or agave, a squeeze of lemon, or some fruit juice.


Tiffany La Forge is a professional chef, recipe developer, and food writer who runs the blog Parsnips and Pastries. Her blog focuses on real food for a balanced life, seasonal recipes, and approachable health advice. When she’s not in the kitchen, Tiffany enjoys yoga, hiking, traveling, organic gardening, and hanging out with her corgi, Cocoa. Visit her at her blog or on Instagram.