6 Equally Energizing Coffee Swaps Everyone Should Try
Many
people have a difficult relationship with coffee. On one hand, few
things are as satisfying as a good old morning cup of joe, but on the
other hand, it isn’t the healthiest drink in the world and can affect our physical and mental wellbeing,
especially if you take yours with lots of creamer and sugar. But even
if you like your morning coffee and wouldn’t give it up for the world,
don’t you wish you could switch things up and have an equally delicious
and energizing drink from time to time?
We know we would, which is exactly why we created this list of 6
delectable coffee alternatives that are just as invigorating as coffee,
but taste different and have quite a few notable health benefits to
them.
1. Matcha
While
matcha is essentially just powdered green tea, it has some pretty
special properties that really make it stand out from the multitude of
green teas available on the market while retaining all the beneficial
characteristics of green tea. Think of matcha as the most concentrated
and high-quality green tea you could get, but with the added benefit of
being able to whip it up into a decadent latte.
Not
only is this drink much higher in antioxidants than coffee, it’s just
as energizing as coffee, but doesn’t cause the jitteriness or
anxiousness some coffee drinkers tend to experience. On top of it all,
matcha drinkers swear that it can help with weight loss, too.
2. Chicory Coffee
Actually,
this drink is not coffee at all, but it’s called that way due to a
similarity in preparation and taste. Similarly to coffee beans, the
roots of the chicory plant are roasted and ground up into a powder that
has an almost eerie resemblance to real coffee. Chicory coffee tastes
similar to the real thing, but it’s actually caffeine-free, so if you’re
looking to cut caffeine out of your diet but like the taste of coffee,
this is your best bet.
Chicory
is an excellent source of fiber, so it’s beneficial for digestion and
is often recommended for patients suffering from constipation, too. The
root is also rich in vitamin B6 and is believed to have some
anti-inflammatory effects as well.
Preparation:
to make a cup of chicory coffee, simply brew it like you would regular
coffee. You will need about 2 tablespoons of chicory to prepare 1 cup (6
oz, 180 ml) of Americano coffee. Once ready, flavor your chicory coffee
as you would a regular cup of coffee and enjoy.
3. Chia Seed Drink
Yet
another caffeine-free option, smoothies, and drinks made with chia
seeds are a terrific replacement of coffee, although they taste nothing
like it. Why is that? Well, that’s because these tiny seeds are packed
full of powerful antioxidants, protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
Research on athletes shows that chia seeds increase one’s endurance and
provide a lot of steady, sustained energy and reduce inflammation in the
body.
But
the best thing about these mighty little seeds is that they are
flavorless, so you can customize their taste however you like, be it
adding it to a raspberry smoothie as shown in the photo above, or
combining it with yogurt, juice, etc.
To prepare a chia seed-based drink,
all you’ll need is 1 tablespoon of the seeds for 1 cup of water. Mix
the seeds in water and let them sit in the fridge for about half an
hour. They will expand in size and get a jelly-like consistency. Mix
them into any drink or food of your choice and enjoy warm or cold.
4. Chai / Tea
This
type of tea originated in India and it’s basically black tea mixed with
various herbs and spices. On average, chai contains less caffeine
compared to coffee, but it can still increase your energy levels, partly
thanks to all the good spices this tea contains. Like all teas, chai is
full of antioxidants and it just tastes so good and comforting,
especially with a splash of milk.
Many
different chai spice combinations exist and ready-made mixes are
available in stores. Another route you can take is to make your own chai
at home from spices and tea you already have at home.
5. Rooibos Tea
Rooibos
isn’t technically a tea, as it’s made of the leaves of a different
South African plant, Aspalathus linearis, but it’s commonly known as red
tea since it has a burgundy red color. Unlike tea, rooibos doesn’t
contain any caffeine and is free of tannins, both of which have been
associated with negative health effects, but also an antioxidant effect.
Instead,
rooibos contains other antioxidants, which are associated with reduced
heart disease and cancer risks. In terms of taste, rooibos has a sweet,
fruity flavor and can be enjoyed alone or mixed with lemon or milk.
To prepare a cup of rooibos tea,
you will need 1-2 teaspoons of the ground rooibos and steep it in hot
water for at least 10 minutes. Don’t worry, this will not result in a
bitter tea, rooibos simply needs a slightly longer steeping time.
6. Golden Milk
Are
you looking for a drink that really packs a punch in the health
department and has a very interesting taste? Then we highly recommend
golden milk, a turmeric-based drink that has some pretty potent proven
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and mood-boosting properties.
ps- how to make golden milk, I had posted earlier, feel free to view it, thanks.