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I need a good coffee substitute
Started
by Nick Phillips
on March 22, 2010
I am not a big fan of teas (granted I have only tried Tazo's and Lipton) but I really need some help. My morning ritual is getting up with my 1.5 year old girl, starting my coffee, getting her some water and a snack, then we watch some good TV. I switched to decaf last week and haven't had the horrible withdrawals like many people have so I think I am ready to make the next step. I would really like to find something that has the same creamy syrupy texture as coffee. If anyone has any good morning cup of Joe alternatives I am listening. Thank everyone
I went off coffee a month ago. I've been drinking Teeccino. It's an herbal tea that tastes like coffee. I really enjoy the Hazelnut and Amaretto flavors. They sell samples of all of their flavors on their website (www.teeccino.com). That's probably a good start. It's totally caffeine free and it satisfies the ritual of making coffee.
may i just say that i understand that you are asking for a coffee substitute instead of coffee-but i just want to mention one thing about changing from coffee to tea...
For me, the hard part about quitting coffee for something else is the convenience and comfort; I liked having a pot of coffee in the morn ready to go. So, for me it was also a habit issue...
I wanted the ease coffee offered. I invested in a beautiful coffee maker. It is like no other, it has different water temperature settings / length of brewing times for different teas, it i fool proof, and you enjoy your team more, because you don't burn the leaves any more. you fill up the water chamber, and then put the setting and it start the brewing and when it is finished, it releases the tea automatically into a modern ceramic teapot that comes with the brewer! I can start my tea in the morning just like coffee and so other things, and not worry that the tea bags are sitting in the water making the tea bitter. See http://www.zarafina.com/ for the product i am speaking of.
Then, I went to the brilliantly high-quality http://www.republicoftea.com/ tea company. And i bought a special small tea thermos to take with me to work for convenience, and an amazing array of creative teas.
The coffee substitute I have bought that has that "creamy syrupy" flavour/texture you seek is the brand "Bambu" an instant swiss substitute.
People also like to "coffee grind" yerba mate tea and use in a coffee filter and coffee pot for their morning energy :)
Sweet Babu is right. Teecino is awesome. Only thing, I had to put 1/2 of what they asked for because I'm not a "strong" coffee drinker to begin with. It tastes good. Have fun with it.
Jeri - Oahu
http://godsdreamsforme.blogspot.com
Try ground chicory granules. It looks like coffee but isn't - tastes a bit peculiar. Also don't stress too much, I know coffee isn't good for people but decaf isn't the end of the world. If I don't smoke, drink and am vegan - I am keeping the occasional soya latte!!!
I was a hardcore coffee drinker for years and gave it up in a day because of a serious health conditon. My substitute is kukicha tea and no, I never even suffered from a coffee withdrawal headache. Amazing! I still miss French roast with Silk creamer but my health and body are worth the change. Try it...
Sorry...didn't mean to hit the response button twice. DUH.
I also used to love coffee and lately I've been drinking the roasted barley tea and the kukicha teas that Alicia recommends in the book. They really taste like coffee. Kukicha is a lot easier to find, Whole Foods carries it and it is also available at Eden foods website. It is also called twig tea. The roasted barley tea is really good hot or cold and it comes in quart sized bags. It can be found in some oriental markets, Asian foods websites or Amazon. It is also called Mugicha tea. I'm actually drinking some cold right now. :)
I really like Teecino - you can also try Cafix or Pero, two chicory based coffee substitutes.
While I've been reading the forum like crazy, this is my first post. I've gotten so many great ideas from all of you! I have to say one of the best is the teecino!!! I have been vegetarian for about 2 years, and have been a "flirt" with vegan since reading Alicia's book a few weeks ago. I absolutely love coffee! I usually have 2 cups in the morning, and another in the late afternoon. After reading this thread I sought out teecino (skeptical as I was about it). It is wonderful!!! I've had it the last two afternoons in place of my 3rd cup of coffee. I even felt like it gave me that little boost of energy I need that time of day. I know I can now start transitioning to it in the morning as well. Just have to take it slow as I get terrible headaches any time I try to cut out the coffee.
Thanks for the great suggestions!!!!
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