I'll be real with you. I do love a good coffee, but there are times I just don't feel like one. During the first lock down both my husband and I chose not to drink coffee at all over those six weeks. There are so many delicious alternatives to enjoy at home: herbal teas and bone broth but my favourite is Dandy Blend.
Whether you want to completely skip on caffeinated beverages or just add more variety, Dandy Blend is a great choice for many reasons.
WHAT IS DANDY BLEND
A dark brown powder (very similar to instant coffee) made from the water soluble constituents that make up:
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Chicory (Cichorium intybus) Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Rye (Secale cereale) Beet (Betas vulgaris).
It was developed to provide a healthy and tasty, caffeine-free replacement for coffee. It also helps the switch from coffee to Dandy Blend by helping reduce the typical adverse effects of stopping caffeine, and it also offers health benefits in it's own right - Dandelion root is one of the six most important herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is known to support a wide range of uses.
How it's made:
All ingredients are dried and roasted separately, then in particular proportions they go into a vat of hot water. Steeping in hot water releases the water-soluble compounds. The water is drained and the solids are discarded. The water is spray-dried until the powder is left.
Most of the sugar in Dandy Blend is fructose, released when the dandelion and chicory roots are roasted. There are no added sweeteners or sugars, and it is considered low carb friendly.
For more information on Dandy Blend, this is a great outline.
WHY I LIKE DANDY BLEND
It's gluten free (even though its made from barley and rye extracts).
It tastes really similar to coffee but is caffeine-free!
It naturally tastes a little sweet and is warm and comforting.
You can easily add things like cocoa, collagen and ghee to bump up the nutrition.
It easily dissolves just like instant coffee. Just add hot water and stir.
Add your milk of choice, or have straight.
Rather than stress our bodies or further tax our adrenals, it actually nourishes us.
Helps transition away from coffee, minimizing withdrawal symptoms.
It's non-GMO and pesticide free.
You can also add to smoothies, marinades, cakes and elixirs.
Even people that don't like coffee often enjoy Dandy Blend.
Safe for children, pets, pregnant and breastfeeding women.
If you want a full list of FAQ's from the Dandy Blend website to make sure it's a good choice for you, head over here.
To make the closest approximation to coffee, this is what I do: add double the suggested amount Dandy Blend and add freshly boiled water, half a teaspoon of golden sweetener (keto friendly) and a dash of cream or raw milk - but here is a super nutrient dense recipe idea you will enjoy!
Recipe: Dandy Blend Goodness Gracious Mocha
So easy, this only takes a few minutes to put together and most of that is waiting for the jug to boil. Serves 1
Water, freshly boiled 1 tablespoon Dandy Blend powder 1 scoop Collagen powder 1 teaspoon dark cocoa powder 1 teaspoon grass-fed vanilla ghee (optional) 1 teaspoon raw honey, maple syrup or monkfruit blend. Dash of either raw cow's, hemp, almond or cashew milk. Pinch celtic salt and cinnamon
In a large mug, combine Dandy Blend with collagen and cacao powder.
Add one teaspoon of freshly boiled water, and stir together for a few seconds.
Add the rest of the ingredients before filling mug with hot water gently stirring with a fork or using a mini frother to whisk it all together!
You could also use a high-speed blender, but always be careful when using with hot water. Can enjoy this recipe morning, afternoon or evening!
Keen to Try?
Here is some of what my community has to say:
"Actually, can you please stop sharing this? I had to delay my last order by two weeks as it was all out of stock!"
"I love Dandy Blend! Most coffee-like substitute I've tasted."
"I've already had two cups and will shortly be about to have another ha ha."
"Best coffee sub yet. Even better, it is good for you."
"Gives my skin a nice glow." "The Dandy is good!"
"So good, I've been drinking it for two years. It is the only coffee substitute that comes close to being drinkable."
"It's delicious"
For more discussions, join me in my Facebook Group, The Healing Tribe.
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Content in this website for informational purposes only and is not considered medical advice. Please see your doctor before making any medical or lifestyle changes. I am not a doctor, this is not medical advice, none of these statements have been evaluated by any authority and and they are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.