How to make roasted dandelion root coffee - coffee substitute

If you've been searching for a healthy, caffeine-free coffee substitute, dandelion root tea may be your answer. This earthy, warm beverage is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and trace minerals that may improve liver health, aid digestion, and even help regulate blood sugar levels.

I honestly wasn't expecting to like dandelion root coffee. But it's really quite delicious! It doesn't taste exactly like regular coffee but has a rich, coffee-like taste and a savory nutty flavor. I especially enjoyed it with a dash of cinnamon, which tames any lingering bitterness.

You can also make a dandelion root latte with almond milk (or any other milk) instead of water.

I don't know how many dandelion plants I have tossed away weeding the garden. But, from now on, I will save them to make a big batch of roasted dandelion root coffee.

I must admit that not everyone in my family shared my enthusiasm for dandelion root tea. Secretly, I suspect they also feared I'd serve them dandelions for supper. But you know what? This was a delicious and fun experiment and I now have a whole new appreciation for these common weeds and their medicinal powers.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Supplies
• Instructions
• Roasted dandelion root coffee recipe
• Taste and flavor
• Health benefits of dandelion root coffee
• What is dandelion?
• How and when to harvest
• Storing dried dandelion roots
• Safety and allergies
• Conclusion

Ingredients

2 tablespoon fresh dandelion root (the fresh roots of about 5 or 6 plants) OR 1 tablespoon of dried dandelion root (You can purchase dried dandelion root at various health food stores or online: Amazon.ca or Amazon.com)
 
1 cup of water

Cinnamon sticks or pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Sweeteners of your choice such as honey, maple syrup, or stevia (optional)

Supplies

Tea bags, tea ball, or tea strainer
Coffee grinder or blender

Instructions

After harvesting the roots, cut off the greens and soak the roots in water. Give the roots a good scrub. You don't have to peel the roots but you want to ensure all the dirt has been removed.

Next, chop the roots into small pieces (about 1-2cm pieces).

The roasting process

Spread the root pieces in a single layer onto cookie sheets covered in parchment paper. Roast them in the oven for about 2 to 3 hours at a low temperature (around 200°F to 250°F). This allows the roots to dry out and roast at the same time.

If your dandelion roots are already dry, roast them for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Check the roots frequently to prevent over-drying.

The roots are fully dry when they snap easily and feel brittle. The roots should also be fragrant (they have a nutty smell) and golden brown.

Grinding the roots

Once the roots have completely cooled, grind the roasted dandelion roots into a powder. This is not necessary but it enhances the flavor and strength of your brew. You can use your coffee grinder or, if you don't have one, you can place the roots in your blender and use the "grind" or "pulse" setting to grind the roots into a coarse powder.

Now, it's time to make the tea!

Add the powdered roots to a tea bag, tea ball, or tea strainer, and place them inside your favorite mug. Pour boiling water over the roots and let steep for 3 to 5 minutes (longer if you want a stronger tea).

Add a pinch of cinnamon and sweeteners of your choice (such as honey, maple syrup, or stevia). Enjoy!

Taste and flavor

Dandelion root coffee or tea is made with the roots of the dandelion plant. It has an earthy flavor and tastes similar to coffee or extra dark chocolate. It also has a unique nutty flavor that would pair well with roasted almonds.

If you don't like the taste of coffee, you may want to try dandelion flower tea, which has a mild, floral flavor.

Health benefits of dandelion root coffee

Did you know dandelions are more nutritious than broccoli or cabbage?

In this study, dandelions were ranked number 16 among the top 41 most nutritious foods. Surprisingly, they surpassed popular vegetables like cabbage and broccoli.

Dandelion roots are also chock full of nutrients and have many health benefits such as:

Improved liver health

Dandelion root tea could help detoxify the liver. In fact, "Dandelion tea made using the root has a stronger detoxifying action on the liver than the leaves," says Registered dietitian Nancy Geib, RD, LDN in this article from the Cleveland Health Clinic. "And the root is a great ally for the liver, known to help clear up acne or other skin disruptions with the root cause being a stagnant liver."

Improved digestion

Dandelion root tea may aid your digestive system by improving appetite and soothing minor digestive ailments.

Rich source of antioxidants

Dandelion roots are especially high in antioxidants such as beta-carotene and polyphenols. These antioxidants may help protect against cell damage and oxidative stress.

Feeling bloated?

Dandelion tea is a natural diuretic, which means it encourages increased urine production and reduced fluid retention in the body. So, if you're battling bloat, dandelion tea may be a great remedy! 

What is dandelion?

As one of the most hated plants in the universe, I think most people can recognize the dandelion (taraxacum officinale). These perennial plants will grow nearly everywhere regardless of soil conditions - gardens, lawns, parks, and fields.

But what you may not realize is that all parts of the dandelion are edible (leaves, flower buds, stem, flower petals, and roots).

These sunny flowers have potent nutritional and medicinal properties used for thousands of years by Native Americans and in traditional Chinese medicine.

How and when to harvest

Digging up dandelion roots can be tricky especially if the soil is compact. You'll want a long-bladed shovel (such as this one) so you can dig down to get at the tap root and bring the whole root out.

The best time to harvest fresh dandelion root is in early spring or late autumn. I prefer the early spring before the plant blossoms because, although the roots will be smaller, they will also be less bitter. However, you can also make tea with the larger roots in the late fall.

Storing dried dandelion roots

Keep the dried roots in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to maintain flavor and potency. Don't forget to label the container with the harvest date to track freshness.

Safety and allergies

Dandelions are safe to eat. However, it is possible to be allergic to dandelions. Dandelion sap contains latex so anyone allergic to latex should avoid handling fresh dandelions.

Also, if you're taking prescription medications, consult your healthcare provider before drinking dandelion tea.

Conclusion

Although initially hesitant to try dandelion root tea, I was pleasantly surprised by its deliciously nutty and earthy flavor.

Not only was it tasty, but I also learned that dandelion root tea has many health benefits from supporting liver health to aiding digestion and boosting the immune system.

So, if you've been searching for a healthy, caffeine-free coffee substitute, dandelion root tea could become your new favorite morning beverage.

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