You may not think of coffee as a gluten-containing food, but the Gluten Free Society says coffee can affect people with gluten sensitivity. Luckily, gluten-free coffee substitutes can be your saving grace if you're a coffee lover suffering side effects. Knowing which gluten-free coffee substitutes are top picks makes your decision a little easier.
1. Teeccino Dandelion Herbal Coffee
Teeccino dandelion herbal coffee is a good substitution for regular coffee and offers a variety of flavors to meet any taste preference. Choosing Teeccino means you're foregoing gluten, caffeine, and acidity found in coffee. Teeccino herbal coffee is endorsed by numerous doctors and other healthcare providers. Amazon reviewers generally like it, giving it four out of five stars and saying it is surprisingly tasty. One negative review suggests it irritates the reviewer's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and celiac disease, so you may want to use caution if you have either of these two conditions to see how it affects you. The taste varies based on the flavor you choose. Examples of flavors include dandelion mocha mint, dandelion caramel nut, dandelion red chai, almond amaretto, and dandelion dark roast. Main ingredients include carob, dandelion root, and chicory root.
Cost: $12.50 for an 11-ounce bag
Pros
- Certified gluten-free
- Vitacost customers give Teeccino a 4.9 out of 5-star rating
Cons
- Few, if any cons exist. The product is costly, but not as much as other gluten-free coffee substitutes.
Order Teeccino dandelion herbal coffee directly from the company website.
2. DandyBlend
Another gluten-free coffee substitute to consider is DandyBlend. While this herbal coffee drink is made from dandelion root and extracts of barley and rye (and therefore may contain trace amounts of gluten), it still meets the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) gluten-free standard. It's full-bodied and rich with the same texture and smoothness of real coffee but without the bitterness. In her blog, nutritionist Meghan Telpner gives DandyBlend a rave review, saying it's super affordable, easy to prepare, and tastes delicious.
Cost: $50 for a 2-pound bag
Pros
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating of A+
- GMO free
- Kosher certified
- 4.7 out of 5 star raging by Amazon.com customers
Cons
- May contain trace amounts of gluten (still meets FDA's gluten-free standard)
- This product is quite costly of the coffee substitutes
Order DandyBlend from Amazon.com.
3. Tazo Chai Tea
Naturally gluten-free and creamy with a gingery bite, Tazo's chai tea is the next best thing after real coffee, suggests Shape Magazine. Its smooth, creamy taste and texture will leave you coming back for second and third cups and forgetting all about coffee. And, while Tazo chai tea does contain caffeine, its caffeine content is much less than coffee. Ingredients vary, but Tazo Chai Classic contains a blend of black tea, cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and anise.
Cost: $5.75 for 20 tea bags
Pros
It is affordably priced.
Cons
It contains caffeine, whereas many other gluten-free coffee subs are caffeine-free.
Order Tazo chai from Chai Direct.
4. Sei Mee Brown Rice Coffee
Looking for something that shares the same warm, toasty flavor of coffee but is more nutritious without the gluten? Sei Mee brown rice coffee made from ground brown rice may be right up your ally with its rich coffee or dark cocoa flavors. Registered Dietitian Wendy Wu recommends drinking brown rice coffee substitute because of its high polyphenol, vitamin, and mineral content. Additionally, a 2014 study published in the International Journal of Preventative Medicine says brown rice helps reduce body weight and fat and heart disease risk factors. Chef Jay's Kitchen also recommends getting more heart-healthy brown rice in your diet.
Cost: $12 for 24 cups
Pros
- Caffeine-free
- Resembles and tastes a lot like real coffee
- Provides strong antioxidants
Cons
- Brown rice is acidic like coffee
- Lack of customer reviews
Order Sei Mee Tea brown rice coffee from the manufacturer.
5. Capomo (Maya Nut) Coffee Alternative
Capomo coffee substitute, made from capomo (maya nut) trees and cinnamon, is also gluten and caffeine free. It tastes and smells just like real coffee with the same creamy texture. This nutrient-rich superfood is common among Mayan civilizations and is rich in antioxidants. In fact, Dr. Leslie Korn says all parts of capomo tress are packed with nutrients (like essential amino acids) and healthy for humans and animals alike.
Cost: $20 for a 12-ounce bag
Pros
- Caffeine-free
- No GMOs
- Loaded with nutrients (including essential amino acids)
Cons
- Quite costly
- Slightly lower customer review rating (3.9 out of 5 stars from Amazon.com customers)
Purchase gluten-free Capomo coffee substitute from Tattva's Herbs Organics.
Why Choose Gluten-Free Coffee Substitutes?
If you long for the rich taste of coffee but are sensitive to gluten, picking gluten-free coffee substitutes is generally the way to go. If you have a condition called celiac disease, steering clear of gluten is even more imperative. So finding delicious alternatives means you can still enjoy your morning coffee fix without the side effects.
