How to make a delicious, tasty, caffeine-free alternative to coffee: A dandelion latte.

I’ve talked about the many benefits of dandelion in the past, one particular quality being its ability to help detoxify the liver. Our liver acts as the ‘gatekeeper’ to the body, filtering out toxins, hormones, food, heavy metals, and other substances we come into contact with in our everyday lives. If the liver isn’t able to perform its job effectively, it can cause problems down the track.

I recently discovered the amazingness which is: Dandelion lattes.

After finishing a long hike with my twin sister in the Blue Mountains, we decided to visit a café in Katoomba for brunch, and I noticed they had a dandelion latte on the menu. I ordered mine with almond milk, took a sip, and Oh. My. Gosh. I didn’t want the drink to ever end.

Which brings us to today. Here in this post. Hello. I have a few different dandelion latte recipes because:

1. When I originally went searching for a recipe on how to make a dandelion latte at home, I went a little overboard and tried out a lot of recipe ideas, some with different flavours, and I couldn’t pick a favourite amongst them.
2. Then there’s options! I mean who doesn’t love a selection to choose from.

Dandelion Root as a Coffee Replacement

When ground and roasted, dandelion root makes the perfect coffee replacement. Coffee can be a real stress on the adrenals, as each time you consume it your adrenal glands produce the stress hormone, cortisol. Consistent caffeine intake over the long-term, can cause the adrenal glands to overproduce the hormone, which can increase chances of adrenal fatigue.

Dandelion is a caffeine-free, dairy-free, adrenal-friendly alternative. Plus, it’s a prebiotic! Dandelion root contains high levels of a prebiotic fibre known as inulin, which plays an important role in feeding the friendly bacteria in our gut. When the good bacteria in our guts are well fed, they produce beneficial by-products that can help protect our colon cells from cancer.

Other foods high in the prebiotic, inulin, include chicory root, oats, legumes (beans and lentils), flaxseed, onion, garlic, rye, and barley. When consuming grains, nuts, seeds and legumes, it’s best to soak them first to deactivate antinutrients naturally found in these foods.

Before we get started in learning how to make this detoxifying dandelion latte – if you like what you’re seeing, subscribe to my email newsletter at the bottom of the page to keep up to date on the latest recipes, DIYs, gardening and health tips I share!!

Homemade Dandelion Latte

When dandelion root is roasted, it resembles the sweet-bitter taste of coffee. You can even add turmeric and ginger for an anti-inflammatory dandelion root latte.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups filtered water
• 1 tbsp dandelion root chunks, roasted
• 1/4 cup homemade plant milk
• 1 tsp raw honey or maple syrup

To make:

1. To roast the dandelion root, place the chopped dried roots on a baking tray and roast for 30 minutes at 90°C (200 °F). You’ll know they’re done when they look golden brown and smell fragrant.
2. In a small saucepan, add the dandelion root chunks and water, bring to the boil, then allow to simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Strain and compost the roots, then pour the liquid back into the saucepan with the milk and honey. Heat on low until the milk mixture is warmed to your liking.
4. Place mixture into a high-speed blender and quickly blend for 10-20 seconds to create some foam on top of the latte. Pour into a mug and enjoy.

Homemade Iced Dandelion latte

A healthier spin on the common favourite: Iced coffee.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups filtered water
• 1 tbsp dandelion root chunks, roasted
• 1 cup homemade plant milk
• 1 tsp raw honey or maple syrup

To make:

1. To roast the dandelion root, place the chopped dried roots on a baking tray and roast for 30 minutes at 90°C (200 °F). You’ll know they’re done when they look golden brown and smell fragrant.
2. In a small saucepan, add the dandelion root chunks and water, bring to the boil, then allow to simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Strain and compost the roots, reserving the liquid. Let the tea cool to room temperature then place in the fridge, covered, to cool for a couple of hours.
4. Once cooled, pour 1 cup of tea into a tall glass and add the milk, honey and ice cubes.

As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor before trying or using any new products. I am not a doctor. All opinions expressed are my own personal thoughts and feelings of the products mentioned. Check with your doctor or health practitioner if you are uncertain about trying out any of the products, recipes or tips mentioned in this post. 

Have you made a dandelion tea or latte before? How was it? Share in the comments below.

Lots of love,

🖤 Vanessa