In This Article, We'll Cover:
- Coffee History
- Why Coffee is Awesome
- Why Maca is Awesome
- How i Healthy’s Favorite Coffee Alternatives & Why
Taking a pause for health reasons? Trying to limit the cups you drink in a day? Maybe you’re just avoiding nighttime coffee?
Whatever the reason, if you find yourself wanting a warm coffee but can’t have it, one of these options might give you that “coffee cozy” feeling.
For the record, I haven’t stopped drinking coffee. But I wanted some alternatives to my second (of fourth…) cup. I don’t always get jittery, but when I do, I regret it.
I offer these alternatives, but not lightly. You see, I’m a coffee lover and not just any beverage will suffice.
All About Coffee
How can we dive into coffee alternatives without giving coffee its credit?
Coffee influenced history, culture, religion, and politics for centuries.
Let’s brew a cup and chat.
A Brief History of Coffee
Etymology:
Italian caffè, from Turkish kahve, from Arabic qahwa
(59)
Legend says that Kaldi, an Ethiopian goat herder, discovered coffee beans around 850BCE. His goats became frisky after eating bright red berries from a bush. Through experimentation with these berries, coffee, or qahwa, was born. The earliest known cultivation began in Yemen. (57, 58)
From Mocha, a Yemeni port, coffee exports landed in Cairo, Syria, Aleppo, Mecca, and Istanbul by 1554. Qahwa became a feature in Sufism religious rituals and coffeehouses alike. (58)
Once introduced to the Ottoman Empire, coffee spread to Europe and beyond through several ways.
- Malta during the Great Siege of Malta 1565. Enslaved Turkish Muslims, imprisoned by the Knights of St. John, prepared coffee. This introduced coffee to Maltese high society. (60)
- The next spike in coffee popularity occurred in Vienna during the 1680’s. After defeating the Turks in the Battle of Vienna, the spoils of war included coffee. (61)
- The English and Dutch East India Trading Companies exported coffee to occupied lands across the world. (58)
- Once introduced to climates that supported cultivation, slave labor supported coffee plantation enterprises. (62)
- After the Boston Tea Party of 1773, American revolutionaries deemed tea unpatriotic. Coffee drinking became the new fashion. (62)
Coffeehouses became meeting places of artists, freethinkers, and intellectuals.
Such intellectual hubs concerned monarchs, dictators, and people of power.
“People drinking alcohol would just get drunk, sing, and be jolly. Whereas the people drinking coffee remained sober and plotted against the government." (63)
Legends say the American and French Revolutionaries conspired around cups of coffee. (58)
Bans on coffeehouses pop-up throughout history but all fail to stick around. King Charles II imposed such a ban, only to revoke his order 11 days later after intense backlash. (58, 63)
Coffee is more than just a beverage. It’s an experience that’s brought folks together for centuries.
That’s one reason why coffee alternatives are hard to find.
A State of Being: “Coffeed”
“Coffeed” may not be a real verb, but it feels real for me.
Being “coffeed” means feeling the balance of alertness and cozy. Starting the day yet pausing to enjoy it as well.
It means feeling that comforting mug in my hands. “Coffeed” means friends and family. It means connection to everything around me.
Coffee is not simply a beverage. It’s a feeling, a state of being.
I say this not to sound ridiculous; I just take my coffee seriously. So, when I say I’ve found two alternatives to my ritualistic brew, I want the gravity of that statement understood.
I’ve got high expectations.
A coffee alternative, for me, does not mean tea, hot lemon water, or some other sad substitute I’ve seen. I like those things too, but for me, they are not interchangeable with coffee.
I’ll drink tea when I want a tea experience.
Side note: There’s been a lot of (non-caffeinated) buzz about mushroom coffee alternatives. While these look intriguing, I’m allergic to mushrooms so that’s not an option for me, and I haven’t looked into it.
A true coffee alternative is not a pale imitation of coffee, trying to be something it’s not. Nothing tastes like coffee but coffee.
Instead, it should provide a unique coffee-like experience that doesn’t leave me… well, wanting coffee.
So, what alternatives are there?
My Favorite Coffee Alternatives
Not only does a coffee alternative need to be delicious, it needs to meet the How i Healthy Standard as closely as possible. Here’s a recap:
The How i Healthy Standard
Our favorite products/brands meet as many of these conditions as possible.
Healthy body, healthy planet, & healthy sex means:
- Align with My Best Sustainability & Ethical Tips
- As Local as Possible
- Cruelty-Free
- Doesn’t Contain these Harmful Chemicals
- Environmental and/or Socially Responsible Company
- Ethically Made: Fair Trade, Living Wages, Safe Worker Conditions
- Gender-inclusive
- No Greenwashing Scams
- Organic & Sustainably Harvested Ingredients
- Pass How i Healthy’s Counterfeit Vetting Process
- Purchased Through/From an Ethical Shop/Marketplace.
- Zero Waste / Plastic & Bioplastic-free / Home Compostable
- 1% for the Planet®, B Corporation®, Green American Business®, or similar credentials
The Maca Team®
First up we have The Morning Motivator from The Maca Team®!
Not only is this mix yummy, but it’s also packed full of nutrient dense maca!
Glorious Maca!
Maca has an impressive nutrient profile containing several amino acids, iron, calcium, zinc, copper, and potassium. (3)
Maca in clinical studies has found to potentially:
- Decrease diastolic blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
- Have antidepressant qualities.
- Improve memory, mood, and energy levels.
- Improve sperm count, motility, production, and quality.
- Reduce and prevent osteoporosis.
- Reduce chronic mountain sickness.
- Reduce some side effects of SSRI-antidepressant inhibitors.
(4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
Maca: Counterfeits & Contamination
But here’s the thing, finding quality maca is not without its challenges.
With increased popularity come increased risks.
Folks can take advantage of the next health food craze by selling poor quality products or even Counterfeits. (64)
Maca is no different. Not all maca is quality maca. Or even maca at all.
Maca prefers the extreme altitude and environment of the Andes mountains of Peru (65). Such an environment is difficult to replicate elsewhere in the world.
In Peru, it is illegal to export raw unprocessed whole maca bulbs. That means you can’t order maca bulbs to plants in your garden back home. (66)
Yet, maca is sold from non-Peruvian sources.
Allegedly, “bio-pirates” came to Peru and smuggled out maca bulbs, seeds, and even soil from the Peruvian highlands, according to the Association of Exporters of Peru (ADEX). (66, 67)
The smuggled maca was then planted in Yunnan province of China. Chinese maca was born. (66)
“Today, China produces more maca than Peru”, stated Andrés Valladolid, president of the Peruvian National Commission Against Biopiracy. (66)
Biopiracy aside, Chinese “maca” has some other alarming red flags.
1/5 of Chinese soil is “contaminated” with pollutants like cadmium, nickel, and arsenic, according to the Environmental Protection Ministry. (68)
I don’t want to risk my maca growing in that, thank you.
Let’s zoom into Yunnan province. Here, 70% of water samples failed to meet minimum quality standards. And, allegedly, decades-long illegal dumping of industrial chromium has wreaked havoc on communities and wildlife. (71, 64, 70)
Efforts to clean up water systems in some of China’s provinces failed to meet expectations, according to GreenPeace. (77)
A Chinese maca brand, called “Peru Maca”, contained undisclosed sildenafil.
That’s the active ingredient in Viagra®.
(64)
Scary heavy-metal-Viagra®-maca aside, there’s the local impact in Peru to consider.
Maca is typically sourced from small villages and farmers in Peru. That means the risk of exploitation of those workers and the environment is at the forefront of my mind.
That’s when I turn to The Maca Team® Morning Motivator.
One of my Favorite Products!
The Maca Team®: The Morning Motivator
Product Kudos
Origin: Peru.
End of Life: Foil lined bag recycled at some centers or through TerraCycle.
Ingredients/Packaging:
- The Morning Motivator: Gelatinized Tri-Color Maca Root Powder, Raw Cacao Powder, Raw Coconut Sugar*, Raw Mezquite, Raw Lucuma* (24)
Why It’s Awesome:
- Delicious! Thick and creamy with a rich bold flavor.
- Have a yummy nighttime dessert and craving a coffee accompaniment? Drink this and avoid caffeine-induced insomnia!
- Heavier than water on the tongue, The Morning Motivator is full bodied, thick, and creamy; like sipping chocolate or full-fat mocha.
- Mix with any liquid you want. Water, animal milk, plant milk, or coffee- you choose!
- Perfect for any time of day. I’ll often enjoy a cup in the afternoons when I need a little pick-me-up.
- Serve hot, cold, over ice. There are so many ways to drink this!
- Versatile! Add cinnamon, clove, chili pepper, or other spices for a twist.
- There’s a comforting heft to a full mug that makes me want to snuggle under a blanket and tuck into a book.
- Side Note: Every time I sat down to edit this article; I made a cup of Morning Motivator. Just seeing the photos got me craving the maca-chocolate deliciousness!
Company Kudos
- Heavy metal and pesticide free with testing reports to back up the claim. That’s super important for me as someone with a history of Lead Poisoning.
- The Maca Team® products are certified USDA organic, non-GMO, and sourced from family farms in the Junin province of Peru.
- The family farms use traditional agricultural methods, the way their ancestors have for generations. This helps the maca maintain maximum nutrient profiles while promoting field sustainability.
- Refuses to sell on third-party marketplaces that do not align with their values.
(1,2, 76)
Mt. Rose Herbs® Herbal Coffee
Next up is this little beauty!
Made by Mt. Rose Herbs, a favorite of mine.
Seriously, this company has a lot going for it. Here’s an in-depth Review of Mountain Rose Herbs®.
This herbal coffee blends chicory root, dandelion leaf, & maca for a bold brew.
Let’s dive in!
Chicory Root
Chicory is a blue-flowering plant with a range of nutrients like protein, vitamins, minerals, bioactive phenol compounds, flavonoids, and inulin. (31)
Inulin is a type of prebiotic fiber. This means our bodies do not digest it and instead this fiber acts as food for the beneficial bacteria in our gastro-intestinal system. Inulin has shown to increase bifidobacteria populations of the colon. Yay, microbiome! (33, 37, 39)
Humans and animals have consumed chicory, both leaves and roots, since ancient times for culinary and medicinal purposes. At the end of the 18th century in Germany, chicory root became popular when Fredrick the Great prohibited coffee imports. (37, 40)
Chicory root and inulin in clinical studies has found to potentially:
- Have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities.
- Contain calcium and magnesium.
- Lower inflammation
- Improve cholesterol levels and digestive health.
- Support weight loss by reducing levels of ghrelin, an appetite-inducing hormone.
- Lower hemoglobin A1C levels and help stabilize blood sugars.
(31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 41)
Dandelion
Yep, that pretty plant with the fluffy pompoms. Turns out those “weeds” that get mowed over are packed full of goodness.
Flowers, leaves, stems, and roots contain flavonoids, and other bioactive compounds that suggest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. (41)
Dandelion is rich in vitamins A, C, D, E and B, minerals like iron, magnesium, calcium, manganese, and zinc. Similar to chicory root, dandelion root also contains inulin. (41)
Dandelion is bitter, one reason it resembles a coffee-like flavor when roasted. (41)
In the limited number of studies I did find, dandelion might have benefits like:
- Anti-diabetic properties and blood sugar regulation capabilities
- Counteract hyperglycemia and improve insulin levels
- Anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant effects, anti-viral
- Improve cholesterol lipid panels
- Reduce levels of stored fat in Obesity-Related Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- Improve and protect tissues in acetaminophen damaged liver
(41, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
Note: The research on these benefits is very limited, and most not involving human testing.
Mt. Rose Herbs® Herbal Coffee
Product Kudos
Origin: USA.
End of Life: Recyclable tin.
Ingredients/Packaging:
- Herbal Coffee: Organic roasted dandelion root, organic roasted chicory root, organic roasted carob, and organic maca powder. (30)
- Packed in a recyclable tin.
Why It’s Awesome:
- Easy to brew. Just step like loose leaf tea (or French press!) in hot water. Or cold brew in the fridge overnight!
- Just slightly heavier than water on the tongue. More similar to coffee texture than The Morning Motivator.
- This herbal coffee has the most similar flavor and body to coffee I’ve ever found.
- It makes a for an excellent dessert pairing at night when I don’t want caffeine insomnia.
Company Kudos
- Carbon off-setting through NativeEnergy®.
- Certified Oregon Benefit Company.
- Green America® Business Gold Certified.
- Massive selection of Oregon Tilth Certified Organic®, Non-GMO Project Verified® , For Life® and Fair for Life Fair Trade® products.
- Platinum Level TRUE® Zero Waste Facility.
- Powered 100% by renewable energy.
- Salmon-Safe® and Trout-Friendly® Landscape Certified.
(73, 74, 75)
The Takeaway Message
Coffee is more than a beverage.
Coffee influenced history, culture, religion, and politics for centuries. Coffeehouses were intellectual meeting places where revolutions and freethinking brewed. (58, 62, 63)
Coffee drinking cultural is more than just coffee. It’s an experience.
That’s why coffee alternatives fall short for me.
They don’t meet the high bar coffee sets.
I drink coffee, but I try to limit how much because I can get the jitters from caffeine-overload.
After years of searching, I’ve found few alternatives on par with the yummy goodness that don’t leave me wanting coffee:
A warm hefty Lead-Free Mug of either fills me with that cozy cup-of-coffee feeling.
You know that feeling. That moment when the world stills and all that exists is that warm brew and you. A balance of alertness and calm.
The fuel that starts the day while simultaneously slowing us down to enjoy a sip.
Added bonus?
Both options potentially offer antioxidant benefits, trace minerals, vitamins, blood sugar stabilization, and fiber. (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 37, 41)
Taste good, is healthy, and comes from a great company? Sure!
That’s How i Healthy!
-Artemis
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Want More?
Like coffee and unique takes on history? Want a closer look on coffee’s global impact? Enjoy supporting local bookstores?
Here’s a great book to enjoy with a cup of coffee:
Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How It Transformed Our World
By Mark Pendergrast
It’s coffee and history. Two of my favorite things. It’s academic and might require a few cups of coffee to get through.
The only thing I’d change is the title.
This predominantly focuses on America, not the world.
Sure, it covers coffee’s origin story across the Atlantic, but then focuses almost exclusively on American exploitation of global coffee farmers. It’s an important issue to cover, but I’d also appreciate personal accounts from those farmers. And what the impact of unfair coffee trading did/does to their communities.
But, for a thorough example of US coffee practices and exploitation, it’s unmatched.
Buy From: Bookshop® or Better World Books®
