10 Herbal Coffee Alternatives, Including 3 You Can Grow
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If you love the comfort of a warm cup in the morning but coffee doesn’t love you anymore, you’re not alone. Many people switch to herbal coffee alternatives because of caffeine sensitivity, digestive issues, or simply wanting something different.
I usually mix herbal coffee half and half with regular coffee for more flavor with less caffeine. My husband often says, “I don’t like coffee, but I like your coffee.” These blends are also good for when you want coffee flavor without the caffeine buzz.
This guide includes ten options — herbal, roasted roots, grain-based, and mushroom blends — plus two you can grow yourself. We’ll cover what they taste like, how to brew them, and things to look for if you’re gluten-free or avoiding caffeine.
Table of Contents
What to Expect from Herbal Coffee Alternatives
These blends won’t taste exactly like coffee, but many have a rich, roasted profile. Mushroom coffees tend to be earthier and rely on functional ingredients for steady energy and focus.
Most are:
- Caffeine-free or very low caffeine
- Gentle on the stomach
- Gluten-free (depending on blend — check table)
- Rich and roasted when paired with cream or milk
- More sustainable than imported coffee beans
If you want to cut back on coffee, start by mixing a small amount of the herbal or mushroom blend with your regular brew. Increase gradually until you like the ratio or eliminate coffee completely.
1. Teeccino Herbal Coffee Alternative
Teeccino is one of the best-known herbal coffee substitutes, available in both loose “brew like coffee” form and tea bags. I discovered it when it was on sale through one of the natural buying clubs I belong to. When I opened the bag, the aroma was wonderful! The flavor is rich and mellow, with many different notes.
Ingredients vary by blend: chicory, carob, dates, figs, nuts, or flavor extracts. Most blends are gluten-free, but check labels.
Flavor: Rich, roasted, slightly sweet. French Roast and Dandelion Dark Roast are the most coffee-like.
How to brew: Use Teeccino in a drip brewer, French press, or pour-over. Tea bags are convenient for travel.
2. Chicory Root Coffee
Made with simple roasted chicory root, which contains the prebiotic inulin. Chicory has been used as a coffee substitute for centuries, especially in New Orleans.
Flavor: Bold, roasted, slightly nutty — one of the closest herbal matches to coffee.
Grow it: Plant in full sun in loose soil. Harvest in fall for thick roots ideal for roasting. See Chicory – Prebiotic, Coffee Substitute, Health Tonic for harvest tips.
Brewing: Brew roasted ground chicory like regular coffee.
3. Dandelion Root Coffee
Like chicory, dandelion roots has a long history as a coffee alternative. It’s also a good way to stretch coffee during tough economic times. I like blending dandelion and chicory together to create a more well rounded flavor profile. The dandelion is more earthy, and the chicory is more bittersweet, so they balance nicely.
Flavor: Earthy, robust, and slightly bitter — similar to a dark roast coffee when well roasted.
How to make at home:
- Harvest long dandelion roots (spring or fall).
- Scrub, chop, and roast at 300°F until dry and fragrant.
- Grind and brew like coffee.
Why grow it: Zero cost, prebiotic benefits, and readily available in the yard. See Harvesting and Drying Dandelion Roots for full drying and roasting instructions.
4. Dandy Blend Instant Herbal Beverage
Dandy Blend contains extracts of roasted barley, rye, chicory root, dandelion root and sugar beet. One rounded teaspoon per eight ounces of liquid produces a “rich, full bodied” coffee alternative. It is an instant drink mix, so you just stir it into your hot or cold liquid of choice.
Ingredients: Dandelion, chicory, barley, rye — not gluten-free.
Flavor: Smooth, mild, slightly sweet; one of the most coffee-like instant options.
5. Pero Instant Beverage
Pero is a classic instant caffeine-free drink. Mix Pero into hot water or warm milk as a caffeine free coffee alternative. Like most herbal coffees, it is non-acidic, so it doesn’t cause stomach upset like regular coffee can.
Ingredients: Barley, malted barley, chicory (contains gluten).
Flavor: Very mild, lightly toasted — not a strong coffee mimic, but pleasant.
6. Cafix Instant Beverage
Cafix is another classic “mix and go” option. Many reviewers on Amazon.com compare the flavor to Postum, and say that it’s a toss up between Pero and Cafix as to which they like best.
Ingredients: Roasted barley, chicory, malt, figs and red beet concentrate.
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Flavor: Slight fruity undertone plus roasted notes.
7. Ayurvedic Roast Coffee Substitute
Ayurvedic Roast Coffee Substitute is a roasted blend mixed with traditional Ayurvedic herbs. Reviews are mixed – some say good flavor, others say it’s more like tea. Worth a try if you’re looking for specific health benefits. Brews like regular coffee.
Contains: Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Shatavari, plus roasted barley, rye, chicory.
Flavor: Herbal, bold, and grounding.
8. DIY Roasted Herbal Coffee Blends
Make your own herbal coffee alternatives by combining roasted roots such as chicory, dandelion, and burdock. Roasted acorns are another homespun coffee option.
Flavor: Completely customizable — add cacao nibs, cinnamon, or vanilla if desired.
Benefits: Local, inexpensive, gluten-free, and easy to make.
9. MUD/WTR
Mushroom blend herbal coffees are sprouting up like mushrooms after a rainstorm, so I figured I’d include a couple. MUD/WTR is popular mushroom-based “functional beverage” geared toward focus and calm energy without caffeine jitters.
Ingredients:
- Chaga
- Reishi
- Lion’s Mane
- Cordyceps
- Cacao
- Cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves
Caffeine: Very low (from cacao).
Flavor: Earthy, warm, lightly spicy — like cocoa meets chai.
How to use: Mix with hot water and froth. Many people add milk or sweetener. (Using a frother or blending really helps to get these powders properly mixed.)
10. Joey Mushroom Coffee Alternative
This is a newer mushroom blend designed to have a more coffee-like flavor.
Ingredients:
- Lion’s Mane
- Cordyceps
- Reishi
- Chaga
- Chicory or roasted botanicals
- Cocoa-based elements (depending on blend)
Caffeine: None.
Flavor: Smooth, lightly roasted with subtle chocolate notes — one of the mushroom blends closest to a true coffee flavor.
How to use: Stir into hot water or milk and froth for best texture.
A note about mushroom coffee blends…
A reader noted that Lion’s Mane mushroom caused unexpected bleeding for her and for several other post-menopausal women discussing the topic online. Everyone reacts differently, so check labels and monitor how you feel, especially if you’re sensitive to hormonal shifts.
What do you think about herbal coffee alternatives?
Whether you prefer roasted roots, grain-based substitutes, or the functional benefits of mushrooms, there’s a coffee alternative for every taste and purpose. (And more keep popping up every year.)
If you’ve tried any of these — or created your own blend — I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
You may also enjoy:
Cozy Mulled Apple Cider with Flavor Variations
How to Make Dandelion Root Tea – Fresh, Roasted, Blends
Pine Needle Tea – Easy and Good for You
This article is written by Laurie Neverman. Laurie was raised on a small dairy farm in northwest Wisconsin, where she gathered wildflowers from the woods and pastures. She and her family now live in northeast Wisconsin, where they combine intentional plantings and semi-wild areas. Every season is a new opportunity to learn more about working with wild plants.
Originally posted in 2015, last updated in 2025.
I love, love, love Dandy Blend! I use it when I have a hankering for coffee in the afternoon/evening. (I still have to have my dark roast coffees in the morning!) I have tried Mushroom “coffees” and I just don’t like them – too mushroom-ee. 🙁
Fair warning, Any alternative containing Lions Mane can affect female hormones. Even if you you are post menopausal you can start bleeding again. I was taking supplements and couldnt figure out why I was bleeding and clotting heavily, I could not find anything online, until one day I ran across redit thread and women who have been 10 years into menopause were going thru what I was. I warned my sister, who started taking a coffee alternative ( mushroom type), sure enough Lions mane in it and she started bleeding heavily after a year of nothing. Please be cautious , I check everything now to see how it will affect my hormones.
Thanks for the heads-up. I’ve added a note to the article about this.
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll add a note to the article. My “go to”s are Teechino or dandelion/chicory, so I haven’t used the mushroom blends regularly.
I recently found this thread, and have been enjoying DelighTeas Ayurvedic Morning Blend – Herbal Coffee. It’s made with chicory, carob, dandelion, and cardamom. I find it to be a wonderful alternative to my regular coffee. Sometimes I’ll even make a ‘half caff’ with part regular and part herbal coffee.
Great option for vegan, caffeine-free & gluten-free. Hope it helps!
Thanks for this article. I really need to cut down on coffee – not just for my health but coffee is getting more expensive and should be drinking less anyway. I will try some of these
You’re welcome. I know lots of folks swear by coffee to function, but it’s never sat right by me to be so dependent on a specific substance.
I’m looking to make recipes that taste like coffee without any actual coffee and that are 100% caffein free. Which of these alternatives do you recommend may work best in cakes and coconut ice cream? Thx.
For flavoring, I’d opt for the Dandy Blend, Pero or Cafix instant beverages. Which one would work best for you depends on your taste preferences. All are caffeine free.
I just discovered Celestial Seasons Roastaroma tea. Wonderful herbal tea coffee substitute, caffeine free
Thanks, RaeAnn. I haven’t heard of that one.
I like Runa tea as a coffee alternative. It doesn’t taste at all like coffee, but it is made from the leaf of a South American tree that is stimulating, but not as harsh as coffee. It comes in a couple of flavors (peppermint is one, cinnamon/lemongrass is my favorite).
Thanks, Carol. I think I’ve heard of that, but have not yet tried it.
I recently came down with IBS-d, so chicory, caffeine, and gluten are out. Le sigh. That Ayurvedic one sounds nice, though it does contain rye. Hoping the gluten’s in a small enough amount that it won’t trigger my stupid bowels. Starting a teaching job soon and won’t have time to spend half the morning in the bathroom! But I gotta have my morning stimulating beverage! Haha what a dilemma, eh.
Plain dandelion’s fairly tasty, too, if you need to keep things simple. I like it better than chicory, for my part.
Capomo is made from pure Maya nuts. No gluten, caffeine, chicory or inulin…
I am looking for a caffeine coffee without the coffee. I love coffee but it doesn’t love me. I have become allergic to it over time but still need my morning caffeine fix and a hot coffee type drink. I love tea but tea isn’t coffee especially in the morning. I see most of the products on the thread are caffeine free. Any suggestions?
These are herbal coffee alternatives, so yes, they are caffeine free. When you say coffee doesn’t love you, what do you mean? Acid reflux, or something else? If you still want coffee flavor with less acidity, you might try mixing half herbal coffee and half actual coffee. My husband has hated coffee all of his life, but he likes caffeine.
When he’s home on the weekends, I make half hazelnut Teeccino and half organic breakfast blend coffee (I like Equal Exchange Organic Coffee, Breakfast Blend. The finish on it is smoother and less acidic than many coffees I have tried.) I finish the coffee with a scoop of collagen peptides, a dose of heavy cream, and a dab of honey in each cup. He still needs to sip it, not slug it down, but the guy who hates coffee will drink this option.
I am also looking for an alternative to coffee. Many moons ago I enjoyed a Pioneer brand – chicory, barley & figs. I’ve recently found out that I am allergic to barley. I’ve made note of Frontier dandelion, Altrei & Capomo. ty for the tips..
I tried Teeccino. I loved it for the first few days. But then I think all the inulin caught up with me… not a happy tummy! Has anyone else had that effect that you’ve heard? Did I drink too much of it?
Interesting. I haven’t had a problem with it, but I usually only drink a cup or two per day. Do you take probiotics? Over time your system should adjust to an increased prebiotic load, but it’s likely best to cut down consumption and increase slowly.
Has anyone tried Capomo? Made from the Maya nut. 100% caffeine and gluten free. No barley, or other grains. It’s expensive (imo) but it sounds tasty. I’m trying to find a gluten-free, grain-free coffee alternative that actually tastes like coffee. 🙂
Not something I’ve seen around here. Will watch for it in our buying clubs.
I’m looking for a gluten free alternative, as well. I loved Postum and Roma, but all those grain beverages are out, now, since I was forced to give up gluten, and contrary to some reports, Teecino and Dandy Blend are *NOT* gluten free. Molecules matter.
I’ll look for the Altrei and Capomo. I sure would like to find something earthy, roasty and full-bodied, without caffeine or gluten.
Chicory is so sour it curdles every coconut milk creamer I try.
Frontier roasted dandelion root granules are dandelion and nothing else.
Dandy Blend, made from roasted water derived extracts of all ingredients, is actually gluten free because gluten and gliadin are both totally insoluble in water, so don’t pass to the beverage. Go to http://www.dandyblend.com. click on downloads, and print out the lab test results from Elisa Tech Labs, on of the pre-eminent gluten testing labs in the US. Recent questions about the possibility of partially-hydrated gluten passing through was tested by University of Guelph, and the conclusion was that there are no chemical processes involved that could fractionate the gluten and make it water soluble, so, in 2016 with those data in hand, Health Canada approved it as gluten free. There may be other properties that make Dandy Blend troublesome for people, but it is NOT gluten. The Dandy Blend company offers free samples to those who want to try it before buying to see if they will have problems, so contact them through their website above.
Thanks for chiming in, Peter.
I have been drinking Capomo in conjunction with regular coffee for a couple months. I am slowly decreasing the coffee to wean off it. Capomo tasted just like coffee but it is pricey. It is supposed to have a natural energy boost but does not give a “kick” that I needed to start every morning. I am still searching for a GF substitute that has the same effects of coffee (without aggravating my acid reflux) but not so expensive as the Capomo.
Yes, I think Capomo is the best of all options I’ve tried (Dandy blend, Teecino, Postum, Caffix, Pero! I would like to try the Ayurvedic one though. So far Capomo is my favorite – most like coffee, but pricey.
I love coffee, very good quality coffee to be more precise (who does NOT? 🙂
To be honest the “for” and “against” coffee voices out there are not so clear. BUT one thing seems clear to me (at least 🙂 drinking one cup a day wont kill you.
For the rest of the time I drink either herbal teas, or coffee alternatives. The coffee alternatives all claim they taste like coffee – unfortunately majority don’t resemble it even. Some are still nice to drink though lol
My favorite coffee like beverage is actually made from palm date seeds (http://www.dateseedcoffee.com) – it tastes like mild coffee but still nice and rich in flavors.
My suggestion unless you can not drink coffee at all – keep to one or two cups (no later than 16:00 for the last cup) for the rest of the day enjoy the HUGE variety of teas out there – you are bound to find something you like 🙂
One coffee in the morning is fine, but later in the day not so much, but I do crave it! Nice to have alternatives. I am going to try roasting various grains and seeds like thistle and see what I come up with, since believe it or not, dandelion doesn’t grow around here! (S Fl)
Roasted barley is in many of the blends, so that might be something to consider.
Delicious Obsessions Etsy Shop isn’t selling their blends anymore. They are selling an ebook guide for DIY coffee substitutes. I have had the Teeccino which is pretty good but I am going to try the Pero brand since I can buy that at my local grocery store. I stopped drinking caffeine a few years ago but am finding that now I am having trouble with too much coffee causing me heartburn so I need to find an alternative because I really love coffee.
Thanks for the note on that. I need to update the post. Jessica stopped selling because of the stupid FDA regs – food is a drug because it may improve your health. Heck – if you’re eating the right food, all of it should improve your health! I really liked the convenience of the premade blends.
We also drink chickpea/garbanzo bean coffee. it is completely natural and prepared in the same way as regular coffee. i discovered it in my village and started to sell 🙂 they just roast it as coffee beans and grind..
I have an allergy to chicory. Did you come across any coffee substitutes that did not have chicory?
Plain roasted dandelion root is an alternative. Amazon.com stocks Dandelion Root Roasted Granule – 1 lb,(Frontier)
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I use the daniblend on a regular basis and love it!!!!!!
Thanks, Seadonna. 🙂
I love all these options! But what about herba mate? Would that be a good alternative?
Yerba Mate does appear to have a more nutrients than coffee, and some caffeine but not as much caffeine as coffee, so it may be a good choice for some. Looks like I have to work my way through test tasting a few more options.
Yerba mate is definitely an acquired taste! Guayaki out on the west coast is a good source. And if routine is part of why you love coffee, try using the traditional gourds and “straws” to drink your mate. I can’t quite remember the terms but it supposedly doesn’t have caffeine but it has another “eine” substance that mimics caffeine without the potentially negative effects. Thanks so much for this thread!
From the Guayaki website: “Brewed from the naturally caffeinated and nourishing leaves of the species of holly native to the South American Atlantic rainforest (Ilex paraguariensis), it contains 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids, and abundant polyphenols.”
I am not a coffee drinker (jmo, bleh) however I have children who find the aroma enticing. That being said, a few years ago I went on a search for alternatives and happily came across a post for taking organic roasted chicory root & organic roasted dandelion root and boiling in a pot of water to create your own “coffee”. My kids call it their gingerbread coffee =)
I haven’t tried it, but a couple times a year I give in and buy the Frontier roots needed for their drink (rather spendy, but worth it). Thank you for offering other options with this post.
I started drinking coffee back when we had the family catering business and were putting in 16 hour days. I’ve never been a big coffee drinker, but the bitter winter cold just makes me crave something a little stronger than herbal tea. I think the dandelion and chicory make a good combination, too, just like the kids. 🙂
I’m glad to see this post as I’ve been battling my first attack of acid reflux and find I can no longer drink coffee OR most teas. Tried Chamomile and can’t even handle that. But I do miss my coffee. Thanks for sharing this.
You might also find the post Home Remedies for Acid Reflux useful.
hi there!
Have you tried the “Altrei coffee” from baker creek seeds? It’s the seeds of some special kind of lupine from Italy- they grow it specifically for drinking like coffee. It looks pretty hardy too.
No, I hadn’t heard of that one. Thanks for letting me know!
Wonderful post! I stopped drinking coffee at the end of October of last year and sometimes I still get a craving. These will make perfect substitutions. Many thanks!
I hope you find an alternative that you enjoy, too.
I love coffee but I still go between coffe beans and a mixture like the Happy Liver root coffee. I buy my supplies from Rose Mountain herbs and grind it myself. It has a really nice coffee flavor, is not bitter and like the name implies is good for the liver. Try it! You will be pleasantly surprised. P