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One of my favorite hot drinks especially in the morning is dandelion coffee.
Spring is a wonderful time to enjoy this rich, delicious beverage as dandelions are springing up everywhere. You probably picked at least one as a child, blew on the feathery white seed head with all your might, and perhaps made a wish!
If you don’t spray your yard with toxic herbicides and pesticides, you will no doubt notice that dandelion grows conveniently close to the front door for you to freshly pick to benefit your family’s health.
Dandelion is an herb that looks exactly like coffee when brewed as you can see from the picture above. It also smells like coffee and, most importantly, tastes like coffee but without the daily caffeine jolt to the glandular system that can bring on adrenal fatigue symptoms along with graying hair and prematurely aging skin.
Decaf Doesn’t Compare to Dandelion Coffee
While decaf coffee might initially come to mind as the best coffee substitute, unless you fork out the extra money to buy organic, you are likely getting a dose of toxins with every cup.
This is because a common process for manufacturing decaf coffee includes the unwelcome residue of industrial chemical solvents like methylene chloride or ethyl acetate. Be careful too, since decaf coffee made using ethyl acetate is frequently marketed as “natural” decaf since the solvent is derived from fruit.
Other methods for making decaf coffee are nontoxic, such as the Swiss Water method, however, even when manufactured safely, decaf coffee still contains caffeine (anywhere from 4-16 mg per 16 oz/ 473 ml) and so is not a good choice for those looking to fully rest and recover from adrenal issues.
This is where dandelion coffee comes in!
Dandelion Benefits
Dandelion coffee is 100% caffeine-free but still has that rich taste of coffee that so many people love.
Dandelion has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to support healthy liver function. Next to milk thistle, dandelion is one of the most effective herbs for this purpose.
In Traditional Chinese medicine, dandelion is considered a nontoxic herb with exceptional values for its choleretic, diuretic, anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory properties.
With regard to modern research, the International Journal of Molecular Sciences published a study in 2010 confirming the anti-inflammatory properties of dandelion root and leaf. Researchers found a beneficial antioxidant effect from consuming dandelion, concluding that:
… dandelion reduced the extent of atherosclerosis by reducing oxidative stress and serum TC, TG, LDL-C and raising serum HDL-C. Dandelion is beneficial in preventing hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis and reducing risk factors for coronary artery disease (1).
Although most people put down weed killer on their lawns to eliminate dandelion, the truth is that this herb is highly beneficial to soil health. If you are a gardening buff, dandelion helps bring nutrients from the deep dirt to the top of the soil. It also greatly attracts bees and other beneficial insects like ladybugs. If you have fruit trees or vines, dandelion releases ethylene gas that facilitates the ripening process.
Dandelion Tea: Healthy Bulletproof Coffee?
If you haven’t figured it out already, dandelion coffee is really just brewed dandelion tea! But, the term dandelion coffee is more fun, so we’ll stick with that if it’s ok with you!
And, when you mix in some healthy fats like butter or weight loss boosting coconut oil into your cup of dandelion coffee, you get all the benefits of the trendy bulletproof coffee without the downsides of which there are many.
This article spills the bulletproof coffee beans.
Dandelion Root versus Dandelion Leaf
One thing to be clear about. If your intention is to make dandelion coffee, you will be using the roots and not the leaves of the dandelion plant. Dandelion root is what smells and tastes like coffee.
Dandelion leaf tea can also be brewed, but it is used more as a diuretic to help reduce swelling or bloating from excess water retained in the tissues. Dandelion root tastes a whole lot better than the leaves too, in my opinion!
Best to reserve the dandelion greens for your salad. According to nutritionist Julie Upton:
The pesky plant you call a ‘weed’ in your yard is actually a nutrient-packed salad green that’s for sale at farmer’s markets and natural foods retailers. The greens are even cropping up on the menus of top chefs. The trendy spring salad green is rich in vitamins, minerals and beneficial phytonutrients. They also have just 25 calories and 3 grams fiber per cup and contain calcium, iron, potassium, and zinc (2).
Roasted Dandelion Coffee Recipe
Using Dandelion Tea
There are several different ways to prepare a cup of dandelion coffee. First, you can go the ultra-simple route and buy a box of roasted dandelion root tea bags or the dried tea in bulk. This is what I have in my pantry.
One word of advice: be sure to buy roasted dandelion tea to make your dandelion coffee. If you buy unroasted dandelion root tea by mistake, you will likely find the taste less than satisfactory! Roasted dandelion root has a far superior flavor.
Once you have your roasted dandelion tea on hand, place one teabag or a tea infuser containing 1 tsp of dried tea in a mug. Pour hot water over it. Let it steep for two to three minutes and then enjoy black, naturally caffeine-free dandelion coffee. Or, you can enjoy it with a touch of added sweetener and cream. I leave the teabag in the cup as I like my dandelion coffee very strong tasting. If you prefer a less robust coffee flavor, be sure to remove the teabag right after the liquid gets dark which takes just a couple of minutes.
Using Dandy Blend
The next way to enjoy dandelion coffee is by purchasing a roasted dandelion blend that has additional herbs to heighten the coffee-like aroma and flavor. My favorite for this purpose is Dandy Blend. The ingredients of Dandy Blend are extracts of roasted barley, rye, chicory root, dandelion root, and sugar beet.
Despite containing barley, rye, and sugar beet (a primarily GMO crop), Dandy Blend is nonGMO and gluten-free too.
Using Fresh Dandelion Root
The final way to prepare a cup of dandelion coffee is by using fresh roots. If you are fortunate to have dandelion growing in your yard during the spring and fall months (or in the summer if it’s shady), simply pick a handful or two and be sure to pull out the roots.
Wash the roots in filtered water and then coarsely chop in a food processor. Roast the washed and chopped dandelion roots at 350 °F/ 177 °C for about 20 minutes or until the roots turn a dark brown color. Take care not to burn them though!
Let the roasted roots cool and then store in a glass jar in the refrigerator. They will last for several months.
To make a cup of dandelion coffee, place 1 tablespoon of the freshly roasted roots in a tea infuser. Place the infuser in a large mug and pour in hot water. If you’ve tried roasted dandelion tea from the store before, you will notice that your homemade dandelion root coffee tastes stronger and more bitter. But, adding a touch of sweetener like maple syrup and cream (coconut cream if you have a dairy allergy) easily resolves this problem.
Dandelion Coffee Latte
In addition to a coffee substitute, dandelion root is an herb ideally suited for making hot drinks like a red rooibos latte. It is highly detoxifying similar to the benefits of drinking a matcha latte or yerba mate.
The process for making a triple strength dandelion coffee latte is below.
Dandelion Coffee Latte Recipe
Caffeine-free latte using triple strength dandelion tea instead of coffee.
Ingredients
- 3 tsp or bags dandelion tea preferably organic
- coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- fresh cinnamon ceylon or cassia
Instructions
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Pour 1/2 cup boiling (filtered) water into a large coffee mug and add 3 tea bags (or 3 tsp in a tea infuser) of roasted dandelion tea. Steep for 3-5 minutes.
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Stir in 1-2 teaspoons of coconut sugar or maple syrup.
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Heat 1/2 cup dairy milk or coconut milk into a steamy, frothy state and pour into the mug.
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Sprinkle with freshly ground cinnamon or ground nutmeg.
Recipe Notes
Maple syrup may be substituted for the coconut sugar.
Coconut milk may be substituted for the dairy milk.
Ground nutmeg can be used to top the latte instead of freshly ground cassia or Ceylon cinnamon if desired.
Dandelion Coffee (Tea) Friendly Warning
If dandelion coffee is something you would like to try to switch off coffee and rest your adrenals, my advice is to go slow and start with one cup per day. Beyond that, build up gradually. I’ve had some people report that the detoxifying effect of the dandelion root can result in a close relationship with the bathroom until your digestive tract adjusts!
Thanks for this article, Sarah!
I’ve enjoyed dandy blend on an off for years, but sometimes notice that I get a headache after just a few sips. My mom and other clients of my have said the same. Does that mean we should just dilute it more would you think? Thanks!!
I love Dandy Blend! Thanks for the great tips, once again! Sarah, It would be fabulous if you would do an informative article on Organic Matcha Green Tea. I find it very confusing with all of the issues of radiation; complex varied types/qualities, possible additives, etc.
Can you tell me the advantage of Dandelion Coffee.??? Thanks
Hi Sarah,
Once again, I have bought a product based on your recommendation. I ordered the dandelion tea you suggested, and am enjoying my first cup this morning. I love it. Since I’m liking it so much, I decided, again based on your recommendation, to also try the Dandy blend–just ordered it. Giving my tired old adrenals a rest was the goal; really liking the tea was a bonus! Can’t wait to try the Dandy blend.
By the way, I’m still LOVING the vita-clay pot you recommended; use it almost daily; bean soup simmering right now. Thanks for all of your good advice and excellent recommendations.
Thank you for letting me know Lynne! So glad you are enjoying the tea and Vita-Clay. I love how I can tell my kids to put on a pot of rice or whatever, and they just throw everything in, and set it to cook. Dinner Done!
Yep, beats out the crock pot, hands down!
I’ve done roasted dandelion tea before, but never thought to use it replace coffee. My question is, for those of us wanting to get off the coffee, but not looking forward to the caffeine withdrawal headaches that potential could come, what would be the best course of action? My husband has severe adrenal issues–despite what he thinks–and getting us both off of coffee might be a good start.
Just wean off the coffee slowly and you should avoid the withdrawal headaches. For example, if you drink 3 cups per day, go down to 2 cups of regular coffee per day plus 1 cup of dandelion coffee for a week or two until you feel you have a adjusted and then proceed to dropping down to one cup of regular coffee and 2 cups of dandelion coffee for another week or two. Then after about a month, go completely to the dandelion coffee.
Hi Sarah, can breastfeeding moms use this? thank-you!
I drank dandelion tea while nursing and it is generally considered safe during this time. However, I have not seen any formalized safety studies on it during pregnancy/breastfeeding, so be sure to check with your practitioner.
Sounds like a lot of work to get the health benefits of dandelion. In our household we just eat the whole plant straight from the ground. Don’t even wash the dirt off – soil microbes are the perfect input for keeping your gut flora populations where they should be, so you don’t have to have any bowel diseases. Dirt bacteria is what cured my allegedly incurable Colitis/Crohn’s, not the medicines or the surgeries they wanted to do. The only prep worth doing is skinning and boiling the roots to make them tender enough to eat. They’re good alone, even better with organic butter. When eating any of the weed greens, like the outside critters chew the “cud” until it’s a fine paste before swallowing, so all the nutrient goodness won’t stay locked inside the tough cellular walls and pass right through you. The very same vitamins and minerals that make weeds hardy and thrive under all conditions will do the same to you!
How is putting a dandelion tea bag in a mug of hot water a lot of work?
I was referring to the title concept – dandelion coffee. Indeed other suggested dandelion beverages above are less or more involved in their preparation, the tea being the easiest.
We just happen to like the plant straight.
Fun tip for those new to dandelions – for the first few days or week that you’re eating dandelion roots, they do get you a little bit “high”. A noticeable euphoria, extra motivation to do stuff. It turns you up to “eleven”. After that first week it never works again; somehow your body adjusts.
A caution for prospective weed-eaters – The hardy weeds like dandelion do actually grow extra-big and extra-green when fed hydrocarbon pollutants like road- and parking lot runoff. You do NOT want to be eating or drinking from plants that have been drinking up toxins. This includes weed greens within several feet of a neighbor’s yard who has a lawn service spray chemicals on their lawn, and those fed from farm field drainage, unless you know for sure it’s an organic farm.
Bonus – if anyone has maple trees blooming in your neighborhood, you can soon look forward to some extra snackage for a couple of weeks – maple leaves are edible, and quite palateable up to a couple inches in length. Baby green maple leaves almost melt in your mouth. The dark red or purple leaves like those from the Norway maple taste like what you’d think the color vermillion would taste like. And then when they start producing skill those seed spinners, you can tear them open and eat the seeds. As long as the inner seeds are still green, they’re still good to eat, whether on the tree or on the ground. They taste like a cross between a pea, a bean, and a nut.
“Green Dean” runs a site called http://www.eattheweeds.com, to share the joy of foraging.
Hi, this may be a silly question, but what if I have an allergy to weeds? Can I still consume this?
Unless you have a specific allergy to dandelion, you should be fine. Consult with your allergist to be sure, though.
I love this article Sarah! Thank you for sharing! I live in the Pacific Northwest, so I have dandelions year round. I drink dandelion leaf tea all the time, but I think I’ll try my hand at making both roasted dandelion coffee and making my own dandelion leaf tea.
Sarah:
Recently, I read elsewhere that regular use of dandelion reduces potassium levels. Is this true? Thanks!
Hi Bonnie, can you post the source of this info? I have not seen it anywhere myself.