Coffee-lover? 3 caffeine-free coffee alternatives to your morning Starbucks
Kickstart your day without caffeine, but still get that feel-good boost
Text: Livvie B
We get it, you struggle to even open your inbox in the morning without your daily Starbucks Venti Americano. But despite its comforting connotations and huge popularity, drinking too much coffee is a habit to be mindful of for the sake of your health.
What’s wrong with drinking coffee?
Drinking too much has been linked to negative side effects such as anxiety, insomnia, and high blood pressure. And yet, Singapore ranks 36th in a global study examining the world’s top coffee consumers.
Like many things, caffeine should be consumed in moderation — in fact, there are numerous health benefits to doing so, including decreased risk of developing heart failure and certain types of cancer.
We’re willing to bet that most of us are in need of methods to moderate, as opposed to increase, our caffeine consumption. With that in mind, here are some lower-caffeine alternatives to consider in lieu of your daily jaunt to your barista.
Chicory Coffee | Nature’s Market, H&S Organic Chicory Root Granules, Roasted, SGD 8.70 for 150g
A popular caffeine-free coffee substitute, chicory root tea is derived from the roots of the chicory plant which are roasted, grounded and brewed. Having become popular during Napoleon’s Continental Blockade of 1808 and the subsequent coffee shortages, chicory tea can be consumed either alone or mixed with regular coffee for a lighter caffeine dose.
Dandy Blend | Instant Herbal Beverage with Dendelion, SGD 71 for 400g
Made from roasted barley, rye, chicory root extracts, sugar beetroot and dandelion root, Dandy Blend is a gluten-free, caffeine-free substitute that still boasts the depth and smoothness of the real thing.
The blend is extremely versatile and the flavour can be manipulated according to how much powder you use. Dandy Blend can also be enjoyed hot or cold, or added to smoothies and desserts to help pack your diet with extra nutrients.
Green Tea | Antea Social, Oriental Green, SGD 24 for 30g
If you’re not quite ready to go cold turkey on your Nespresso habit, green tea can be a great option to help avoid caffeine withdrawal symptoms. Green tea has less caffeine than both black tea and coffee, meaning that by making the switch you’ll benefit from lower levels of anxiety and improved sleep, whilst still getting a burst of energy.
This Taiwanese green tea from Antea Social boasts notes of nuts and seaweed (it smells amazing!) and is a light, refreshing option to kickstart your morning.
