Caffeine-free coffee alternative for energy and hormone support
A tasty roasted latte that's low in caffeine, yet high in benefits!
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I’ve never been a coffee drinker. I learned after trying it a few times that it just didn’t agree with me for a variety of reasons. In recent years, I’ve turned to tea and herbal allies for the energy support that many get from their cup of joe. With a lesser amount of caffeine than coffee, matcha has been my favorite source of antioxidants and calming boost of energy for the past couple of years. However, I very recently tried hojicha, another type of Japanese green tea, and it’s one of my new faves!
Hojicha or houjicha is made from mature, steamed and roasted leaves and stems of the camellia sinensis, or tea plant. The roasted tea leaves can then be ground to a fine powder, similarly to matcha. This process of roasting them yields a brown tea that is toasty and earthy in taste. Hojicha is significantly lower in caffeine than other types of green tea (hojicha has approximately less than 8mg of caffeine per 1 gram serving, as opposed to the approximately 35mg of caffeine per 1 gram serving of matcha). The roasting process additionally reduces hojicha’s antioxidant content, but in exchange, it’s been shown that the hojicha releases a chemical called pyrazine that improves blood circulation and digestion by expanding the blood vessels.
To take my hojicha lattes up a notch, I like to add maca and dandelion root powders along with the hojicha powder, and here’s why:
The dandelion plant is known for supporting your liver in detoxification. Dandelion root is often brewed as a tea or herbal infusion, or can be added to drinks in powder form. It has a mild earthy flavor and has often been used to make coffee alternatives like Dandy Blend. Its ability to help with phase III detoxification of the liver makes it great for anyone looking to balance their hormones, as our livers play a huge role in the process of helping our bodies to get rid of what it doesn’t or no longer needs. This includes excess hormones like estrogen, that when not removed from the body in a timely manner, for women especially, can lead to PMS symptoms and painful periods.
Maca root is an ancestral superfood of Peru. It provides a great boost of non-caffeinated energy and has been known to support healthy sex hormones in both males and females. For women, maca can help to regulate the menstrual cycle, manage associated symptoms, and support healthy libido. In men, maca consumption can help build stamina, energy and improve fertility. Regardless of an individual’s family plans, having a healthy, functioning reproductive system is still an important part of being a holistically healthy YOU. Keeping our hormones in check can help to prevent a variety of health issues.
I always look for gelatinized maca powder. The process of gelatinization breaks down starch in the maca root, making it easier to digest and its nutrients more readily absorbed by our bodies. Gelatinized maca thus provides a higher concentration of nutrients, like iron and zinc, which can be key for supporting hormones.
I often buy my herbs and powders from from iHerb. You can use my code KEN8980 for 5% off every order.
This is the dandelion root powder I recommend by Starwest Botanicals, and here is the gelatinized maca powder I get by Terrasoul Superfoods.
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Kendyl’s Hormone-Healthy Coffee Alternative
What you’ll need
1 tsp to 2 tsps hojicha powder
1/2 to 3/4 tsp dandelion root powder
1/2 to 3/4 tsp gelatinized maca powder
2 to 6 oz hot water, divided
handheld electric whisk or bamboo matcha whisk
a fine mesh sieve for breaking up powdery clumps
optional:
honey, maple syrup, or 4-8 drops monk fruit or stevia extract to sweeten, more or less to taste
Elevate this beverage with my Marshmallow Milk Foam recipe:
The added protein from my marshmallow milk foam in this beverage can provide additional hormone support by helping to keep blood sugar balanced.
Making it
Use a sieve to sift hojicha, dandelion root, and maca powders into your matcha chawan mixing bowl or mug to reduce clumps. You can add in your monk fruit or stevia extract here, if using. Pour 2 ounces of hot (not boiling) water and whisk with bamboo whisk or handheld whisk. Once all powders are blended, pour over the last 2-4 ounces of hot or warm water. If using a sweetener like honey or maple syrup, you may sweeten to taste now.
If using warmed milk or milk foam, pour it into your mug with the hojicha and root blend.
Optional: sift a pinch of hojicha over top of your milk froth, to make it pretty and get a bit more of that flavor into your sip!
Enjoy!
Lately, I’ve been opting for this boosted hojicha latte in the morning when I want a warm and nourishing beverage, reserving my matcha latte for later on in the afternoon when I, personally find that my body could actually use that caffeine boost the most. With its warm and toasty taste, I find it really goes great with breakfast! With my Marshmallow Milk Foam, I get added protein to my meal, too.
As always, I’ll be curious to know if you try it or if you have another way that you like to enjoy hojicha.
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Yours in nourishment,
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