People have preferences when it comes to things. While some people can stick to one thing, others want one thing with a spice of another. This brings us to the question of "tea or coffee?" While many people love coffee, there exist more people that'll just stick with tea, although sometimes they'd want a tea that tastes or feels like coffee and maybe even has nutritional content like coffee but remain tea.
CAN TEA REPLACE COFFEE?
There exists a wide range of tea products in the market today that either has a similar taste as coffee or caffeine content as coffee. There is a wide range of tea as we have a wide range range of coffee, so tea might be able to replace coffee depending on whether it is the taste or nutritional content you seek. There is surely something in the market to meet your preference. Now that you know your tea can simply replace taking coffee because you can get the same taste and caffeine content, the question now is what kind of tea should you consider when it comes to taste or simply caffeine content.
HOW TEA IS MADE TO TASTE LIKE COFFEE
Camellia senesis, which is non-herbal tea, and herbal tea can have a range of different flavors. Coffee is made from dry coffee beans, which are roasted. Coffee beans are gathered from the flowery shrubs of plants that belong to the Coffea botanical family. The fruits of coffee contain a bean and a husk. The husks are used for making a variety such as coffee cherry or cascara coffee tea, and the flavor of the products from the husk is entirely different from that gotten from the bean. After the husk of the coffee beans has been removed, dried, and roasted gives a different product. This is coffee as we know it. Coffee is an infusion just like tea, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that there are other plants (especially those similar to coffee) that may taste like coffee when added to hot water.
BLACK TEAS THAT BLACK COFFEE DRINKERS WILL LOVE
Many people love coffee because of its strong flavor and taste when nothing is added to it. It shouldn't come as a surprise that there exist black teas, which are worthy replacements for strong black coffee, and they exist just the way you like your coffee; strong and black. Black tea comes in various flavors; some may be sweet, some may have zero sweetness in them, while others can taste like fruits or chocolate milk.
Some black tea does not lack behind in the caffeine department. When your choice is influenced by the amount of caffeine content, then the best kind of black tea to consider is Assam black tea. Assam black tea is rich in high levels of caffeine and comes with a malty taste. Some of them have iotas of chocolate taste in them too.
Strong black teas can use some milk, too, just like coffee. Therefore you can enjoy it with or without milk. There are other worthy black tea options to try; while some are malty or chocolatey like Assam black tea, others taste like nuts. The Beijing Black, Russian Caravan, or Irish Breakfast may be a great replacement for your morning cup of coffee.
HERBAL TEAS WITH A COFFEE TASTE
If all you desire is a cup of coffee tasting, but a caffeine-free cup of tea, herbal teas are the answer you seek. Herbal teas are great alternatives, and luckily, there is an almost infinite range to pick from. All blessed with their mesmerizing taste and flavor that would make you forget about everything called coffee. Herbal teas are made from various seeds, nuts, grains, roots, and pods. They have their peculiar attribute, health benefits, and taste. Herbal tea is often made from the roasted and pulverized remains of seeds, roots, grains, and what have you. They can be taken alone or taken alongside other extracts and ingredients, amplifying the taste and flavor. Different herbal teas taste just like coffee and are free from caffeine.
CAROB TEA
Carob tea is made from extracts from the Carob tree, which is found in the Mediterranean region. The tree produces long dark brown pods that are eatable and can be used as a sweetener or a total substitute for coffee. The flavor from the extracts of the Carob tree is sweet and very unique. When used for making coffee and tea, they are made into powder and then used for whatever option. They exist in history as natural sweeteners and are considered a worthy alternative to coffee and even chocolate. The great part of it all is that it is caffeine-free.
ACORNS TEA
Acorns are great alternatives for coffee. They do not contain caffeine. They are found in oak trees are nuts. While they can be eaten in their natural ripe form (by animals, most especially because they are bitter), they can be dried, roasted, and blended into a great caffeine-free drink. They have a rich flavor, which is similar to coffee.
DANDELION ROOT TEA
Dandelion flowers are considered pretty weeds. However, they have health benefits and potential culinary benefits and are grossly underestimated. All parts of the flower can be used in making tea. While the flower and leaves give a fresher flavor when made into tea, the roots can give you that deep coffee-like taste and feel.
BARLEY TEA
Barley tea is made from barley and has a great taste and flavor, and is free from caffeine. It is made by roasting and grounding barley and can be taken alone or with other ingredients.
CHICORY ROOT TEA
Chicory root is a root of the Cichorium intybus plant that belongto the same botanical family as dandelion. Everything about it is edible, but the seeds, just like the dandelion, are best for making coffee-like tea.
BEST CAFFEINATED HERBAL TEAS
Sometimes you might desire herbal teas and still want caffeine too. Some plants have caffeine and do not taste like coffee. The most popular of such plants is the American Yerba mate. It is known as Ilex paraguariensis and comes in two versions–green and roasted. The green yerba mate has a higher caffeine value, is invigoratingly strong with a sweet flavor. On the other hand, the roasted mate tea is lighter has caffeine but not as much as the green yerba mate and is best for making iced tea. Other caffeinated herbal teas are yaupon and guayusa.