How to Brew Herbal "Coffee" (grain-free, gluten-free, and caffeine-free) // deliciousobsessions.com

~~~ UPDATE 8/17/15 ~~~

I no longer sell my herbal coffee blends. If you haven’t heard why, you can read my blog post about my closure here.

Instead, I now offer a comprehensive herbal coffee substitute guide that is complete with:

  • Detailed information on why coffee and caffeine may be bad for your health, especially if you are dealing with chronic health issues like thyroid problems and adrenal fatigue.
  • Tips and tricks for blending the perfect herbal coffees at home.
  • Information on sourcing clean, nourishing ingredients.
  • My proprietary formulas for the Clean Living and super popular Happy Liver blends, as well as the formulas for THREE more blends that were in development at the time we stopped selling the coffees.
  • Delicious recipes so you can enjoy that coffee shop experience from the comfort of your own home.
  • And much more!

 

Click here to learn more.

NEW DIY Herbal Coffee Blending Guide // deliciousobsessions.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One of the most commonly asked questions I get is:

How do I brew your herbal “coffee” blends?

Well, today, I want to show you just how easy it is to brew herbal coffee!

Important Notes About My Herbal “Coffee” Blends

It is important to understand that since this blend is made with high-quality root herbs, it is NOT AN INSTANT PRODUCT.

My herbal “coffee” blends cannot be brewed in a regular coffee maker or pod coffee maker. It also cannot be cold-brewed.

This coffee blend is made with root herbs and must be brewed (also called “decocted” in herbal language) in hot water for at least 10 minutes (but 20-30 is better).

Unlike leaf herbs, root herbs need heat and time in order to extract all of the flavor and beneficial constituents.

If you’re not familiar with decoctions and other herbal preparation methods, check out my helpful post on Basic Herbal Preparations: How to Make Infusions, Decoctions, and Tinctures here.

In short, a decoction is the preferred method for brewing harder herbs like roots, barks, and seeds because the longer brewing time allows the beneficial constituents and the best flavor to emerge from these nutritious herbs.

Ten minutes is the minimum I recommend, but the longer you brew it, the better it will be in flavor and nutrition.

TIP OF THE DAY:

Use method #1 below and brew your herbal coffee in big batches so you always have some on hand. I brew mine by the half-gallon and store in a glass jar in the fridge. Then I simply reheat as needed.

Brewed herbal “coffee” will keep for 7-10 days in the fridge.

2nd TIP OF THE DAY

To easily strain your coffee, use a re-usable coffee filter. This is the one I have and I picked it up from my local Kroger for $3.50.

How to Brew Herbal "Coffee" using a Tea Ball (grain-free, gluten-free, and caffeine-free) // deliciousobsessions.com

I also found this one on Amazon and love it! It’s stainless steel and washable. I just place it over my Mason jar and carefully pour my coffee in. You could also place it in a funnel and do the same.

How to Brew Herbal "Coffee" using a Tea Ball (grain-free, gluten-free, and caffeine-free) // deliciousobsessions.com

How to Brew Herbal “Coffee”

METHOD 1 :: STOVETOP (my favorite)

How to Brew Herbal "Coffee" on the Stovetop (grain-free, gluten-free, and caffeine-free) // deliciousobsessions.com

Instructions:

  1. Bring 12-14 ounces of filtered water to a boil.
  2. Add 2 tsp. of coffee blend to water (use more for a stronger brew).
  3. Cover and reduce heat to low.
  4. Simmer for 15-30 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and strain out herbs. A super fine-mesh strainer or a re-usable coffee filter are ideal.
  6. Serve as is, or with your favorite sweetener and creamer. I like maple syrup and coconut milk.

TIP: You can make this in large batches and store it in the fridge for 7-10 days. I make mine by the half gallon so I have it on hand whenever I want it.

METHOD 2 :: FRENCH PRESS

How to Brew Herbal "Coffee" using a French Press (grain-free, gluten-free, and caffeine-free) // deliciousobsessions.com

Instructions:

  1. Bring 12-14 ounces of filtered water to a boil. Remove from heat.
  2. Add 2 tsp. of coffee blend to your French Press (use more for a stronger brew).
  3. Add hot water.
  4. Let the coffee soak for a minimum of 10 minutes, but 15-30 minutes is ideal for a deeper, richer flavor and best nutrition.
  5. Strain out herbs.
  6. Serve as is, or with your favorite sweetener and creamer. I like maple syrup and coconut milk.

METHOD 3 :: TEA BALL

How to Brew Herbal "Coffee" using a Tea Ball (grain-free, gluten-free, and caffeine-free) // deliciousobsessions.com

Instructions:

  1. Bring 12-14 ounces of filtered water to a boil. Remove from heat.
  2. Add 2 tsp. of coffee blend to your tea ball and place in a large cup or bowl (use more for a stronger brew). Keep in mind that the blend uses powdered herbs, so unless your tea ball is super fine-mesh, some of the powdered herbs may escape into your cup. They are totally edible, so feel free to drink them.
  3. Add hot water.
  4. Let the coffee soak for a minimum of 10 minutes, but 15-30 minutes is ideal for a deeper, richer flavor and best nutrition.
  5. Strain out herbs.
  6. Serve as is, or with your favorite sweetener and creamer. I like maple syrup and coconut milk.

I am always experimenting with new methods of brewing, so if you have a method not listed here, let me know! I’d love to hear from you!