Dandelion Root Coffee

With March approaching, I’m starting to think about the possibility of a spring detox and one of my favorite healing roots –dandelion. Dandelion is a fantastic liver cleanser and spring is the perfect season for liver support.
According to Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, dandelion root has bitter, sweet and cooling properties, making it optimal for the pitta dosha.
Although I use various parts of the dandelion for healing, here, I’m focusing on the root which is a good blood purifying herb. The root is also a useful remedy for stomachaches, and in herbal medicine is said to be beneficial for hypoglycemia and high blood pressure.
How can you get these benefits? According to The Way of Herbs, “roasted dandelion root makes a pleasant beverage that can be consumed daily. It combines well with “kukicha” tea, or chicory root.” I take my dandelion root with chicory which gives the beverage a deliciously bitter, coffee-like flavor. I also add cinnamon sticks to my Dandelion Root Coffee, because I love cinnamon and also consider it a “super” spice with extremely healing properties –though that’s a post for another time. Here’s a most delicious way to take healing dandelion root.
4 cups water
2 tablespoons roasted dandelion root
2 tablespoons roasted chicory root
1 cinnamon stick
- Place water, dandelion root, chicory root and cinnamon stick in a pot
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer for 5 minutes
- Pour coffee through a small mesh strainer
into cups and serve
Serves 2-4
I was taught 20 years ago during my Ayurvedic training that it is important when making tea with roots to boil for 2-3 minutes to release their healing properties.
And I cannot forget to mention the synchronistic dandelion incident that took place with my friend Kelly from celiacchicks.com. When I was in New York City in fall 2009 to promote The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook, I was feeling a little sloggy and craving my dandelion coffee. At one of the signings (which Kelly so graciously arranged!) I grabbed myself a hot water; Kelly whipped out a bag of dandelion tea
(from her purse, no less!) and proffered it upon me. Hence began our discussion of our mutual love affair with the dandelion root.
My fascination with this amazing herb is also chronicled on my other website My Dandelion is a Flower.
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This sounds very good. I’ll have to try it. I’ve also been thinking about a cleanse. I might do a combination of recommendations by Dr. Oz and Kathleen Freston (Veganist). Dr. Oz recommended abstaining from grains of all kinds and replacing them with cruciforous vegetables, like broccoli, which cleanse the liver. I’ve been meaning to quit dairy, as I’m intolerant to it, but addicted. The 21 day cleanse that Kathy Freston recommends, without meat, dairy, sugar or alcohol, might cure me of my sugar addiction. It’s a good idea. Thanks for your inspiration!
I drink a product made of pulverized dandelion and chicory roots, and I think barley — (I don’t have the bag anymore to check!) called Dandi-Blend. It is delicious and I think the addition of cinnamon is a great idea!! I have replaced all but my first cup of coffee with this drink. Can be enjoyed hot or cold — I drink it hot because it is winter… :-)
Watch out! Barley is not gluten free. May be not for majority on this list.
Dandy Blend claims to be gluten-free on their website because gluten isn’t water soluble. But even the best mesh strainers can let some parts of grains through. Seems like the company has a weird understanding of the meaning of the term “gluten free.”
This sounds delicious! And so healthy and detoxing!! I have been wanting to try dandelion coffee for a while now… so far I’ve just been drinking dandelion tea! :)
I am really enjoying these post Elana. My husband is now addicted to licorice root tea. He’s always got it in his hand :) I love it when you speak ayurvedic to us too! So informative. Thanks Elana.
the approach of spring always makes me look forward to dandelion. Though usually the small greens- not usually the root. Can you roast a fresh root?
my son cracks me up- he eats the flowers as one of his favorite outside snacks, and the leaves, and nibbles the stems while telling people “you should eat this more, especially if you eat sugar too much.” tell me they’re not listening.
maybe this year i’ll add a new beverage to the mix, cause i do miss coffee!
Dear Cassi,
I bet you could roast your own dandi roots. If you try will you let us know how it goes?
Thanks :-)
Elana
the dandelion and chickory…is it a course ground that can be used in a french press?
Hi Nicole,
You can grind the dandelion root or leave it in chunks. Either way, I would recommend boiling it for 2-3 minutes in order to extract the healing benefits of the herb from the root.
Hope you enjoy,
Elana
This sounds great. I used to use commercial coffee substitutes until I found out they had gluten in them. I’ll have to try this.
I didn’t know you had a gardening site! My husband Steve has an organic gardening site I think you might enjoy: <a href=http://www.grow-it-organically.com He used to teach classes at Stanford University.
Oops, sorry, here’s the link: Grow-It-Organically.com
I love dandelions, I cringe when I hear the chemicals and so forth that people use to get rid of them. Love roasted dandelion root tea and never thought of adding cinnamon- will have to try it!
I’ve been really wanting to try dandelion coffee for quite a while now. So far I’ve been taking dandelion root as a diruetic any time I feel I need to “cleanse”. Although I don’t do this often, it is a very powerful, healing root. Now I know how to make my own herbal coffee! :)
Thanks for the enlightenment? I appreciate your sharing your Ayurvedic knowledge/training with us. I so enjoy it and find it fascinating.
xo Lexie
Again….love your blog for so many reasons. Here is another one!
Can you share more of your ayurvedic ideas for cleansing?
Thanks!
Karen
I do a cleanse every spring too, although I’ve never had dandelion root coffee. This looks like a great detoxifying combo. Can’t wait to try it, I love your blog!
I found this when I googled ‘how to roast dandelion roots’
http://www.gardenguides.com/96412-roast-dandelion-root.html
I will be putting this to use once the snow melts…our yards are still very covered in snow up here in southeast Idaho…
Thanks for the great recipe!!!
Dina
I cannot wait to try this!!!
Thanks for sharing! I’m hypoglycemic, so I am definitely going to check this out. I also enjoyed learning about the benefits of licorice root. Any chance you’ll add an Ayurveda section to your website? :-) I would love to learn more about it! Also, are there any books you recommend for someone who knows nothing about Aryurveda, or any other ancient medicines, but would love to learn (ahem, me!)?
Thanks! Your website and cookbook have been incredible resources for my paleo family.
The first time I drank Dandelion Coffee was back in 1971. My husband and his friend opened a health food store up in Northern Ontario and sold the coffee bags. This coffee had the dandelion root and chicory plus roasted soy beans and other assorted ingredients that were very beneficial to health. I still drink this to this day and I can recommend this type of drink to anyone who loves an alternative healthy beverage.
Elena,
I’m not even gf but I’m so loving your site! I was treated by an ayurvedic practitioner in NYC for ovarian cysts and have been a believer ever since. She prescribed a “paste” of alfalfa honey, licorice root powder and turmeric and I just noticed some fresh turmeric root at my local grocers – do you have any recipes or uses for the fresh root?
Thanks!
Jenny
I’m allergic to dandelion flowers & leaves. Would the roots bear the same oils/properties as the leaves? I know that lobelia flowers are toxic, but the leaves are good for respiratory conditions. Your thoughts?
Thanks,
Cathy
I know this is late, but in case anyone runs across this comment and has the same question: If you have a true allergy to a plant, you are reacting to the plant’s proteins, so yes, the root would cause a reaction too.
You can try chicory instead, but be careful til you know whether you are OK with it. It’s distantly related to dandelion. Probably not closely enough to matter, but I know some people who are allergic to ragweed have trouble with chamomile, so it doesn’t hurt to say something.
Elana: Ayurveda’s not the only tradition that says to boil roots in water to get their goodness out. Other traditions that use herbs teach the same thing. Any time you’ve got a woody part, or hard seeds, they need to be made into a decoction rather than an infusion–boiled in water rather than having just-boiled water added to them. Pretty cool, the similarities in various natural-medicine disciplines around the world!
I can buy dandelion root thru my coop, but it is not roasted. Do you need to roast it for the tea? And if so, how do you roast? Thanks.
I bought some dandelion root at the store today and now got back home and checked the recipe and discovered that it’s supposed to be roasted! Did you ever find an answer to this question? I’m wondering if it could just be toasted in a skillet or on a baking sheet in the oven.
I’ve been drinking dandyblend for a while and honestly didn’t know that the dandelion is good for the liver. I love the addition of cinnamon in your recipe. Thanks!
This is another inspiring post! I rally want to receive some Ayurveda training and really learn about herbs and medicinal plants. I’ve had an Ayurvedic consultation and really dig it.
My favorite tea is dandelion root (liver) yarrow (anti-inflammatory) and fenugreek (for the lungs)…. it is my go to drink for when I am feeling a little under the weather or need to cleanse
I am just enjoying my first cup of this coffee (although I added cardamom and some coconut milk)….better than real coffee! Thank you!
Well, I just answered my own question: If you have an allergy to ragweed, you may have an allergic reaction to dandelion coffee.
Bummer. You guys all had me excited about the possibility of a good coffee substitute!
:o)
A friend bought me dandelion root ‘coffee’ (I think she’s worried by the vast amount of espressos I consume), but I haven’t gotten around to giving it a try. I certainly will now – great, informative post.
Elana,
I really enjoyed this post. I came here looking for your peppermint pattie recipe to make a treat for my son and found lots more :-)
I thought you might be interested in a post I just wrote on using a french coffee press. I make a coffee substitute every morning in it and it works great! Now I will have to try your recipe!
Here is the link to my post: http://wholenewmom.com/whole-new-budget/the-best-french-press-coffee-maker/
Thanks!
I tried some dandelion root tea this morning. I was too lazy to try your recipe here, and it was a bagged tea anyway. The roasted flavor is delicious! I’ll have to start consuming it regularly. I’m so glad there are foods in this world that are both tasty and healthy :)
thank you thank you thank you … I’m cleansing now, and as a Pitta dosha also, this will come in handy!
Yum! This was awesome!! I like it just plain (a change for me).. Definitely better than regular coffee! thanks much!!!
I am wondering about the answer to the questions about roasting fresh raw dandelion roots. We have tons of dandelions in our yard in the spring and summer and we do not use any pesticides or herbicides to treat our yard. I would love to find a good purpose for these prolific flowers.
BTW…thanks for this recipe! My daughter has recently found Dandi-Blend and loves it. This sounds like a fun recipe to try!!
Just wanted to say thanks for sharing all of your valuable info. I have switched my 7 year old son to a gluten free – casein free diet, and your recipes have made it so much easier to feed my whole family this way!
Hello Elana,
a friend gave me the link to your webpage. Since then I am frequently surfing on your page. Thanks for this great recipes!
Today I tried the dandelion coffee..and it is just great.
I was seeking for a while how I can quit drinking coffee and now I know how!
Thanks for this great idea!
Take care
Tanja
Elana,
I love your recipes. Thank you for such an awesome website! You rock!
-Katie
I have roasted dandelion root myself and got the most lovely brew. It’s really easy, I describe the method in this blogpost http://sapuhusid.blogspot.com/2012/05/or-you-could-liquidize-dandelion-coffee.htm
l love the addition of Cinnamon to the coffee and need to try that. Thanks for your lovely site.
Does this have coffee caffeine in it? So far I drink non-caffeinated Dandelion tea in the evenings but I like my morning coffee for the caffeine kick. This sounds great and I’d love to try it, but I just wanted to cover this base first:)
Where do you get your dandelion root? And to be clear, this has no caffeine right?
I use Dandy Blend instant beverage, I admire you taking the time to create your own. I just came across this alternative and truly LOVE it. My skin is radiant and I know it is cleansing me from the inside out. :)
I am so excited to try this!! I’ve been drinking coffee for the past 10 years and now have stopped as I’ve been on an anti-inflammatory diet for the past month. Though I don’t miss the caffeine, I desperately miss the taste of coffee!! Thank you for posting this :)
I began a community garden where we are fortunate to have a large number of Ukrainian gardens. One of them is always plucking the dandelions before overzealous weeders get to them. She makes dandelion tea all the time. When spring comes, I will be sure to get the recipe from her and post it here.
Good health to all.
Tee-Ann