Best Coffee Alternatives For The Workplace

Coffee is a drink made from roasted coffee beans. Also, the berry seeds of certain species are used for coffee. From the coffee fruit, the seeds are separated to produce a stable raw product that gives an unroasted green coffee. The seeds are then roasted through a process that turns them into a consumable product. The coffee you drink at home, coffee shop, workplace, etc. is made from roasted coffee beans.

Coffee is a go-to morning beverage for most people especially Americans. It is because of the stimulating effect on humans due to caffeine content. It is one of the most popular drinks in the world, but if you want to try an alternative to coffee, then you can use other drinks such as tea, apple cider vinegar, matcha tea, etc.

Best Coffee Alternatives For The Workplace

For some people, a high amount of caffeine such as 95 mg per serving can cause restlessness and nervousness, also known as jitters. For others, coffee can cause headaches or digestive issues. Some people don’t mind the bitter taste of coffee or get bored with the usual morning cup of coffee.

On the other hand, coffee is not for everyone. Instead, they like to have herbal tea or any other means of consuming caffeine. Also, some people opt for caffeine-free beverages to cut off caffeine consumption.

Chicory Coffee

Chicory Coffee

Just like the coffee beans, chicory root can be ground, roasted, and made into a delicious hot drink. It tastes similar to coffee but it does not contain caffeine. It is a rich source of inulin. It is a soluble fiber that promotes a healthy gut and aids in digestion. It is the reason that it promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria such as lactobacilli and bifidobacterial.

It produces more bile by stimulating the gallbladder. As a result, it is beneficial for fat digestion. Chicory root can be beneficial for people but just like coffee, it can cause digestion problems or other side effects such as gas or bloating. Also, chicory coffee should be avoided by women who are breastfeeding or pregnant.

To make a chicory coffee, the chicory root can be found roasted or pre-ground. It makes it easier to prepare the coffee. Just regular ground coffee, brew it in a filter of coffee makers such as espresso machine or French press. You can use 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds per 6 ounces of water. You can adjust the ratio according to your preference.

Golden Milk

Golden Milk

Golden Milk is a caffeine-free alternative to coffee. Golden milk is a hot drink and incorporates invigorating spices such as black pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger. Also, you can add other ingredients such as honey, vanilla, or cardamom for taste. Turmeric does not only give a beautiful golden color to your drink but it contains inflammatory properties. It is due to the potent chemical curcumin.

To increase the ability of the body to absorb curcumin, you can add black pepper to the drink. To make this drink, you should be using whole milk instead of fat-free milk. You can prepare the basic golden milk in just 5 minutes.

  • In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of milk or a non-dairy substitute.
  • Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric, 1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of black pepper.
  • To make it sweet, you can add honey to the drink.
  • Now heat the mixture while stirring it frequently. Otherwise, it will scorch.
  • Once it is heated, you can pour it into the cup and enjoy it.

Matcha Tea

Matcha Tea

Matcha tea is a type of green tea that is made by crushing, drying, and steaming the leave of the Camellia Sinensis plant. Unlike herbal tea or green tea, the entire leaf is consumed. As a result, you get a more concentrated source of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG, an antioxidant.

The benefits of matcha tea are attributed to EGCG because it reduces high blood pressure. The other benefit of matcha tea or green tea is the loss of body fat and weight. Also, it reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes.

You can make matcha tea with easy steps:

  • Sift 1 to 2 teaspoons of matcha powder into a ceramic bowl with a fine-mesh strainer.
  • Add hot water not boiling water. The temperature of the water should be around 160 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Keep stirring it slows until the power dissolves.
  • A traditional bamboo tea whisk, known as chasen, works best for mixing it back and forth.
  • Once a light foam forms on the surface, the tea is ready. You can add 1 cup of steam milk or a non-dairy alternative for making a creaming matcha latte.

Matcha tea is not a caffeine-free drink. It consumes a whole leaf, so you can expect it to be sometimes more than coffee. The caffeine in each serving can vary from 35 to 250 mg. It can be a good alternative to coffee but not for cutting down caffeine consumption.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is made by fermenting the crushed apples with bacteria and yeast. The fermentation process produces a compound known as acetic acid. It is having beneficial effects on blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity.

ACV can also increase the feelings of fullness when you drink it after meals. Hence, it aids in moderate weight loss. A basic apple cider vinegar drink can have 1 to 2 tablespoons of unfiltered and war apple cider vinegar. A cup of cold water and 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey are added for making it sweet.

It is prohibited to consume ACV without diluting it first. It is because it contains 4 to 6 percent of acetic acid. It can burn your throat or mouth. Also, it can wear out the tooth enamel causing dental problems. So, make sure that you rinse off the mouth with water, before and water drinking apple cider vinegar.

Chai Tea

Chai Tea

Chai Tea is a type of black tea mixed with strong spices and herbs. It contains less caffeine than a coffee such as 47 mg per serving. Drinking black tea can improve mental alertness when you are working for long hours. It is also made from the Camellia sinensis plant but the black tea undergoes a fermentation process. It changes the chemical makeup of black tea. It is also having potent antioxidant properties.

The other benefit of black tea is that it lowers the risk of heart diseases. Apart from the health benefits, the taste of chai tea is strong and gives a comforting odor. There are plenty of recipes for making chai tea, but cardamom tea is preferred.

  • Crush 4 cloves, 4 cardamom seeds, and 2 black peppercorns.
  • Combine 2 cups of filtered water in a saucepan.
  • Add an inch of sliced fresh ginger.
  • Add 1 stick of cinnamon and crushed spices.
  • Now heat the mixture.
  • Add 2 black tea bags and let them steep for 10 minutes.
  • Filter the tea into two cups and enjoy.

To make chai milk tea or chai tea latte, simply add 1 cup of milk or non-dairy alternative instead of water for the above-mentioned recipe.

Coffee Alternatives – Caffeine-Free or Less Caffeine Beverages

Coffee is having its health perks but it is not meant for everyone just like the other beverages. If you consume too much coffee in the workplace, then you can opt for an alternative. It can be matcha tea, chai tea, golden milk, chicory coffee, apple cider vinegar, etc. Some people switch to alternatives because of coffee’s bitter taste and high caffeine content.

On the other hand, some people choose alternatives because coffee causes them digestive problems or even headaches. Instead, you can choose the best alternative according to your preference.