Coffee Substitutes: The 7 Best Alternatives to Coffee

Are you looking for a coffee substitute apart from black tea and unhealthy cola? Then you will find what you are looking for: We present 7 healthy coffee alternatives.

The best coffee substitute at a glance

Our pick-me-ups provide power and are healthy. Read more about it in the individual chapters.

1. guarana
2. mate
3. Matcha tea
4. nettle
5. wheatgrass
6. ginger water
7. Green smoothies

Guarana: The powder from South America

A strong supplier of caffeine comes from South America – guarana powder.

• With its high caffeine content, you will often find it in energy drinks, for example.
• A special feature of guarana is that the caffeine is released little by little hours later. Guarana also convinces with its long-lasting effect.
• Guarana isn’t necessarily the tastiest of whiteners, so it’s best to drink the powder with your fruit juice or beverage of choice. The advantage of fruit juice is that the fructose it contains has an accelerating effect.
• Beware of fruit juices that contain extra sugar – this industrial sugar is unhealthy.
• Alternatively, mix the powder into a soup with a strong taste of its own.

Mate: Green and healthy coffee alternative

Mate tea also comes from South America.

• Mate tea is not a classic tea. It is a caffeinated shrub that grows in some South American countries.
• Like guarana, mate also gradually releases caffeine. It “sneaks” into the body slowly and lasts longer, far more powerfully than does coffee – its caffeine hits faster but doesn’t last as long.
• Mate is also easier on the stomach than coffee. In addition to caffeine, it contains many minerals and vitamins. The awakening effect depends on the brewing time. With a little honey or sugar, it can be a tasty substitute for coffee. Above all, a mate is healthier.
• Another positive feature of a mate is that both the metabolism and the digestive system are stimulated.
• A little caution is appropriate for slim people because a mate has an appetite-suppressing effect. If you carry a few extra pounds with you, mate can help you lose weight.

Matcha Tea: The concentrate of tea leaves

Matcha powder is not an infusion tea.

• It is the concentrate of whole tea leaves from the Matcha plant. The rule applies: the more Matcha glows in color, the fresher the tea.
• Matcha tea is considered a strong pick-me-up but wakes you up in a healthy way. It affects your metabolism so you can focus more and perform better.
• You’ll find matcha tea in unexpected recipes, even in pastries and cakes. But it can also be used in salads or desserts and main courses.
• The taste of matcha is slightly bitter or tart. Its flavors are of the most diverse nature. In any case, it can be described as strongly aromatic.
• Incidentally, the green jack of all trades was used by Buddhist monks because of its stimulating and long-lasting effect, so that they could devote themselves to meditation for longer.

Nettle: The medicinal herb as a coffee substitute

The stinging nettle is an old medicinal herb and can be used as a tea or a coffee substitute.

• The stinging nettle is good for health in many different ways and is recommended as an infusion for exhaustion, depression, and states of tiredness.
• However, stinging nettle tea does not work like coffee, as its revitalizing effect is noticeable and prevails over the long term.
• It is recommended, even if not for the “kick” that espresso or a coffee promises. The long-term effect is a healthy, soothing, but unfortunately not immediately onset vitality.

Wheatgrass: The vitamin donor

If you are also looking for a drink with lots of vitamins, then wheatgrass is a good alternative to coffee.

• However, extra caution is needed if you have a weaker stomach or if you’re thinking of consuming it raw in a smoothie: our stomachs don’t digest the weed as easily as nettle or coffee. It should always be processed scalded or boiled.
• Alternatively, simply use a commercially available, high-quality wheatgrass powder. This stirred-up with water is a little fitness booster.
• Wheatgrass not only wakes you up, but it is also extremely healthy. Numerous vitamins as well as magnesium, iron, and antioxidants are contained in wheatgrass.
• In terms of taste, wheatgrass can be rated as sweet. By the way: The effect is best when drunk in small sips.

Ginger water: It also works without caffeine

The spiciness of the ginger root not only stimulates digestion but also stimulates the circulatory system.

Ginger is one of the healthiest foods.

• The ginger water is also made in a flash. Cut a 2cm piece off the bulb and remove the skin.
• Now cut it into slices and pour a liter of boiling water over them. Let it cool down a bit and the power drink is ready.
• Incidentally, you can refill the ginger water several times with water. However, the taste is then lost a bit.

Green smoothies: Power alternative without caffeine

Green smoothies are made with leafy greens like spinach or kale.

• These contain numerous B vitamins and provide an energy boost.
• In addition, green vegetable provides iron – which is necessary for cell formation – as well as vitamins, fiber, and minerals.
• You get more pep in terms of taste if you mix vegetables with fruit.

The classic: black tea as a coffee alternative

Like coffee, black tea wakes you up with its caffeine.

• In contrast to coffee, the stimulant in black tea works much more slowly but longer.
• The reason for this is the tannins contained in the tea. They ensure that caffeine is gradually released.
• Black tea also contains vitamin B and potassium – both of which stimulate circulation a little.