With March approaching, I’m starting to think about the possibility of a spring detox and one of my favorite healing roots –dandelion. Dandelion is a fantastic liver cleanser and spring is the perfect season for liver support.
According to Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, dandelion root has bitter, sweet, and cooling properties, making it optimal for the pitta dosha.
Although I use various parts of the dandelion for healing, here, I’m focusing on the root which is a good blood purifying herb. The root is also a useful remedy for stomachaches, and in herbal medicine is said to be beneficial for hypoglycemia and high blood pressure.
How can you get these benefits? According to The Way of Herbs
, “Roasted dandelion root makes a pleasant beverage that can be consumed daily. It combines well with kukicha tea or chicory root.” I pair dandelion root with chicory which gives this Dandelion Root Coffee a deliciously bitter, coffee-like flavor. I also add cinnamon sticks because I love the flavor and healing properties of cinnamon. Here’s a delicious way to get healing dandelion root into your diet.
Dandelion Root Coffee
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons ground roasted dandelion root
- 2 tablespoons ground roasted chicory root
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Place water, dandelion root, chicory root, and cinnamon stick in a saucepan
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes
- Pour coffee into cups through a fine mesh strainer
- Add coconut milk or heavy cream if desired
- Serve
During my Ayurvedic training in the early 1990’s, we were taught that it is important when making tea with roots to boil them for 2-3 minutes to release the healing properties.
And I cannot forget to mention the synchronistic dandelion incident that took place with my friend Kelly from Celiac Chicks. It was 2009, and I was on my book tour in New York City for The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook. I was feeling a bit tired and craving my dandelion coffee. At one of the signings, which Kelly had so graciously arranged, I grabbed myself a hot water. Next thing you know, Kelly whipped a bag of dandelion tea
out of her purse. She gave it to me and we discussed our love affair with dandelion root.
If you were wondering how to make dandelion coffee I’ve got you covered. Here are some of my other healing drink recipes for you!
Stephanie says
This sounds delightful. Is it safe to drink every day? Thank you.
Elana says
Stephanie, thanks for your comment! I drink it everyday, but I would recommend checking with your Functional Medicine practitioner before doing so :-)
Rosita Thibodeaux says
Elana I ordered all of the ingredients for the coffee exactly as per your instructions and I made the coffee exactly as per your instructions. It’s is amazing as always when I try your recipes, the chicory reminded me of my old grandmother who also cooked her chicory grinds too. As children she made us coffee so thick, dark, sweet and full of real cream on cold mornings when we visited the country during Christmas and Thanksgiving break. Thank you so much for your never ending hard work and for kindly sharing with your fans. God Bless you and your family!
Elana says
Rosita, thanks for another wonderful comment and for being such an amazing longtime faithful reader here! I’m so glad to hear this coffee is amazing :-)
JoAnna Pepe says
Hello,
I made this in a 6 cup Bodum French press coffee maker using the ingredient proportions per the recipe.
I poured boiling water over the herbs. After giving the brew a quick stir, I let it steep for five minutes,
ending with a gentle press. The end result was a tasty, healthy coffee substitute with the added benefit
of easy clean up.
Thank you for the great recipe, Elana!
JoAnna
Elana says
JoAnna, thanks for your comment and for letting me know this recipe is great :-)
Kaye Stain says
Hi Elana! Thank you for this recipe. I for one am loving it. I am curious if I’m doing it right though. I purchased the bag of roasted dandelion root that you buy from Amazon. In the bag it’s not exactly “ground” per se. The root is in the form of tiny crumbles. Does it need to be further ground to resemble the chicory? Thank you!
Elana says
Kaye, thanks for your question! I buy it cut and roasted and then grind it in the dry container of my vitamix. I’m so glad that you are loving this recipe! I do too :-)
Brenda says
i purchased my dandelion root from Starwest Botanicals. Ive been using them as is. Should I be grinding them more before use?? I never thought about it until I read this review. Would it make a difference? Tastes pretty good!
Elana says
Brenda, that’s how I make it and it’s amazing :-)
Susan says
Does all of the powder strain out after you make and strain it, or is there residue left?
Elana says
Susan, if you use a fine mesh strainer all of the solids and powder will get strained out :-)
Cathi says
Ive bitten the bullet and ordered the dandelion and chickory root products. I need to give up caffeine due to thyroid issues. Im skeptical but willing to try.
Elana says
Cathi, thanks for letting me know, I hope you love it!
Zana says
How can I add caffeine. My brain will not turn on without caffeine.
Elana says
Zana, I haven’t tried that so not sure :-)
KimsBakeShop says
This will help you detox from the caffeine. It’ll take a few days and yes, you’ll have a headache but drink more water and eventually your body will detox from the above tea recipe :)
Elana says
Kim, that is a fantastic point! Thanks :-)
Tiffany says
Elana, I just got both these ingredients in the mail! So excited, but can you put the ingredients in a a coffee pot ? It has a fine mesh basket for auto brew on my cuisinart. Or is boiling/ steeping the only way?
Elana says
Tiffany, I haven’t tried that so not sure :-)
Nechama says
I love coffee, hot with coconut milk, and cold with almond milk and ice cubes. However, I may just try your Dandelion Tea because it aids the Liver. Also, thank you for the Juicer recommendation. The Cilantro Detox is now on my list; beside eating cilantro (cusbara here in Jerusalem), parsley, dill, lettuce among other items in my salad.
I’d like to pass on this info about cinnamon which you may or may not know, the best and recommended cinnamon for health benefits is Ceylon Cinnamon.
Elana says
Thanks Nechama! I only link to Ceylon cinnamon in my recipes :-)
Linda says
I am a big fan of dandelion root tea and regularly drink chicory root as a substitute to coffee but I never thought of combining the two, this sounds simply wonderful!
Elana says
Linda, it is absolutely wonderful!
vanya says
Thank you so much for posting this recipe! I had a chicory and dandelion brew at Sqirl in LA a few months ago and have been obsessively thinking about it ever since. Now I can make my own! I added a little star anise and cardamom to your recipe and it’s just amazing. Thank you, thank you!
Elana says
Vanya, you’re welcome! I’m so happy to hear this was amazing :-)
Hannah says
Hi Elana – Thank you for introducing this drink! I read your post a year or so ago but only finally tried it recently, and have really grown to like it (if only it had that coffee smell!) I assume this drink is safe for children as well?
Thanks!
Elana says
Hi Hannah, I haven’t ever served this to my children so not sure about that. I’m so glad you are enjoying the Dandelion Root Coffee :-)