dandelion: the new coffee

My husband is on a mission (not unusual) to convert all who care to listen away from drinking coffee to drinking roasted dandelion 'coffee'. He carries a container of roasted dandelion granules with him wherever he goes and whether he is meeting with a prospective bride and groom about photographing their wedding or a supporter of one of his social justice campaigns he pulls out the dandelion and convinces the barista to make a brew.

If you haven't yet tried dandelion seek it out. You'll find it at the health food shop and I think some supermarkets now even stock it in tea bag form (dandelion with chicory root). Be sure to get the roasted dandelion root for the coffee like experience, not the dandelion leaf.

Why drink dandelion?

There is a lot to love about dandelion. Let's start with the taste because that's what most people wonder about. While it doesn't taste exactly like coffee, for anyone trying to give up or cut down on coffee this is the perfect substitute. Dandelion has a slight bitterness similar to coffee and lends itself well to being brewed with a milk of your choice, making it as satisfying as drinking a latte made with coffee. Well almost.

The health benefits of dandelion are what appeal to me most. A good friend for your liver, dandelion is detoxifying and good for aiding digestion.

As dandelion is caffeine-free it is a perfect warm drink before bed to settle digestion and prepare you for sleep.

How to prepare your cup of dandelion

If like my husband you have the gift of the gab and your local cafe doesn't serve dandelion you can ask the barista to prepare it for you exactly the same way they would coffee, placing the dandelion granules in the coffee machine in place of coffee.

At home there are a couple of ways you can make yourself a delicious, health-giving dandelion brew. First option is using teabags and making it just as you would a regular cup of tea, you can drink it black or with a splash of milk, with or without a spoon of honey.

The second option is the cafe-at-home option. Brew the granules in a pot with a cup of milk, or half water half milk.

In winter we like to do this on the wood heater

Once it has brewed to a good strength and temperature you can either just strain it straight into your cup or for a fancy, frothy option you can froth it using a very simple, inexpensive milk frother. A milk frother is basically a slim, tall version of a coffee plunger you'll find them at kitchen supply stores or you could probably just use your coffee plunger.

And voila there you have it a very satisfying alternative to coffee.

Have you tried dandelion? Giving up coffee? Share what your favorite brew is...