How to make roasted dandelion root tea recipe: A healthy alternative to coffee
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Roasted dandelion root tea - a great coffee alternative!
If you've never heard of this amazing coffee alternative, you're in for a real treat.. especially if you're like me and can't have coffee right now but desperately miss the taste of a good cup of joe in the mornings.
I'm currently breastfeeding my newborn and have chosen not to drink coffee just yet, but mannn do I miss a nice warm cup of coffee in the mornings. Seriously, it's what I use to look forward to every morning! I don't even care about the energy it may or may not give me, I mostly enjoy coffee because of it's taste - with a nice creamy homemade cashew milk like the one in this recipe, ah... I miss that.
But I have found my replacement - roasted dandelion root tea - and I'm so freaking excited about it. I swear I've been drinking a cup of this stuff every morning for a few weeks now and I think I've tricked my brain into thinking it is actually coffee haha.
What is roasted dandelion root tea:
Dandelion root tea is an herbal tea that is made using the root of the dandelion flower. To many, the dandelion flower is only known as a pesky little weed that grows on lawns, yards, and open fields. But in reality, the dandelion flower and its accompanying roots have so much more to offer! It is believed that the dandelion flower, and more specifically its roots, can help support liver detoxification and improve your digestive system.
why is dandelion root tea a great coffee alternative:
Roasted dandelion root tea is very reminiscent of coffee. It smells like coffee, looks like coffee, and even has that deep bitter rich taste that is very similar to coffee. The best part is, it's caffeine free! You get to enjoy all the perks of coffee without any of the caffeine.
Caffeine is not bad but there are people who can't tolerate it. Some people get really anxious, jittery, and nervous after consuming caffeine - dandelion root tea would be a great alternative.
Also for those mamas like myself who are either pregnant or nursing and would like to avoid caffeine - dandelion root tea can be a great alternative. However, remember to always ask YOUR physician if it's okay for you to drink dandelion root tea as it is passed through the breast milk. It is an herbal tea after all and has not been approved by the FDA.
what are the benefits of drinking roasted dandelion root tea:
The main benefits believed to be associated with drinking dandelion root tea is liver detoxification and improved digestion. It is also a rich antioxidant, which helps the body fight free radicals and helps reduce inflammation. Dandelion root tea can also be a potent diuretic (makes you urinate a lot - similar to coffee) so make sure you speak to your doctor before taking this tea to make sure you don't have any contraindications.
how do you make roasted dandelion root tea:
My favorite way of making dandelion root tea is to purchase the dandelion root off of Amazon. The brand that I buy is called Feel Good Organics - they have a small bag that you can purchase to try it out, and also a bigger bag that is more cost effective and will last longer. It is a loose tea which means that it does not come in small tea bags but i like it this way.
I get a 1/4 cup of the loose dandelion root and I roast it myself in the oven. I usually roast it at 350F for 4 to 5 minutes, or until there is an aroma and the roots are golden brown. Make sure to keep an eye on this the first time you do it because every oven is different, and you do not want to burn your roots (like I did the first time around - whoops).
Once I roast the roots I transfer them to a french press like this one and I let the roots steeps in boiling water for about 10 minutes or so. If you do not have a french press you can use a tea diffuser (these are really handy to have around) or just strain the tea after letting it steep with a strainer.
Once you have your dark tea you can enjoy it as is, however it is bitter. I like to add a little bit of homemade cashew creamer or homemade almond milk and a tablespoon or two of maple syrup, honey or agave.
Another easier alternative to the loose dandelion root is to buy premade dandelion root tea that has already been roasted and is sold in tea bags. A good brand that I trust is Traditional Medicinals - click here to see their roasted dandelion root tea on Amazon. I haven't tried this flavor but the reviews are positive.
Other recipes you may like:
how to make homemade almond milk
healthy homemade almond joy candy bars
with love + gratitude,
Jen ♥
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How to make roasted dandelion root tea: A healthy alternative to coffee
Dandelion Root tea is made from the root of the dandelion flower. When perfectly roasted in the oven it magically tastes like a nice dark rich cup of coffee. Dandelion root tea makes for a perfect alternative to coffee for those who are looking for something different. It even looks like coffee, and sort of smells like it too! Try it for yourself!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 3 cups of tea 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup loose dandelion root tea (I buy Feel Good Organics from Amazon)
- 3 cups boiling water
- 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup, agave or honey
- your choice of milk / creamer if you want to turn it into a latte
Instructions
- Roast 1/4 cup of loose dandelion root tea in the oven at 350F for 3 to 5 minutes. The exact time will vary depending on your oven. Keep an eye on the tea and stay near your oven as it roasts quickly. You want to make sure you don’t burn it, or your kitchen. 😉 You’ll know it’s ready when the loose tea looks dark golden brown and there is an aroma. I feel like the deeper the roast, the darker the tea and the more pronounced the ‘coffee’ flavor is so I make sure mine is really roasted.
- Using a french press or strainer, mix the tea with 3 cups of boiling water. Let sit for at least 10 minutes. If you do not have a french press, you can mix the tea and water in a cup, you’ll just have to strain the loose tea later on. Or perhaps you have a loose tea filter like this which would work too.
- Serve the tea with about a 1/2 cup of your favorite milk/creamer and 1 to 2 tablespoons of your preferred sweetener. I love to drink mine with homemade almond milk (learn how to make homemade almond milk by clicking here) or with my favorite homemade cashew creamer (click for recipe).
Notes
- There is a lot of room for flexibility in this recipe. If you feel that your tea is too strong/dark, then you can simply add more water next time to dilute the total amount. Or you can roast the tea for less time which produces a lighter tea.
- This is an herbal tea and the statements made within this post have not been approved by the FDA. Always consult with your doctor regarding taking this herbal tea especially if pregnant, nursing or taking any medication.
Keywords: tea, tea latte, dandelion root, dandelion root tea, coffee alternative
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Loving this! going to try it after I finish my traditional dandelion tea, question, what DID you drink when while pregnant? I still have my occasional 1 cup of coffee when I really need it because I have a toddler and it is necessary, but wondering if you had this while pregnant as well? Thanks