We all know how lovely (and sometimes seemingly necessary) a hot steaming cup of coffee in the morning can be. Caffeine boosters aside, there's something deeply ritualistic and restorative about holding a warm beverage in between your palms while slowly sipping in the early hours of the morning. I personally tend to crave a latte around 9:30 or 10am, or more generally a couple hours after I've woken up, and have found that there is a biological reasoning behind this; Studies have shown that drinking a cup of coffee (or other caffeinated beverage) 1-2 hours after waking allows our bodies to naturally experience a more steady rising in our cortisol levels without overloading our nervous system. While I've always been an avid coffee-lover, I've never actually been able to tolerate caffeine as it makes me feel too jittery and anxious, however I do still crave a decaf latte every morning simply for the pleasure of sipping that warm, creamy beverage accompanied by phenomenal aromatics.
There have been various points throughout my life in which I've decided to nix coffee altogether (yes, even the decaf!), due to how it was affecting my bodily functions (bowels, nervous system, etc). During those times, it was always difficult to find a suitable drink alternative that still gave me that deep satisfaction of a heavenly hot brew in between my palms. It was during one of these "dry spells" that I decided to create my own version of a nourishing herbal coffee. Something with tons of deep, dark roasted flavour, zero caffeine, and some health benefits, to boot!
Our herbal coffee was born from a desire to have a drink that you can look forward to brewing every morning (or afternoon, or evening)! Thanks to it's naturally caffeine-free nature, it's a suitable beverage for any time of the day, and tastes great both with traditional milk/cream additions as well as vegan/plant-based dairy alternatives - our personal favourite is to steam/froth equal parts coconut milk with oat milk and do an extra-long steep for the "coffee" grounds to create our version of a deeply satisfying herbal latte. While milk and cream can be deliciously creamy additions, we recommend using a plant-based dairy alternative to assist your body in absorbing the maximum amount of health benefits (especially the non-heme iron!) from the herbs used in this blend. Our signature herbal coffee blend is made up of 3 simple and satisfying ingredients:
Dandelion root is an excellent diuretic which helps to produce more urine to flush out excess water, sodium, and toxins from the kidneys. This in turn helps to regulate blood pressure and keep your heart working optimally. Thanks to its antiviral and antibacterial properties, dandelion helps to improve the immune system and keep bad germs at bay. Its hearty quantity of plant-based iron helps to purify the blood, reduce blood sugar, prevent heart failure, promote healthy liver and intestine function, and fight inflammation. Dandelion root contains more fiber than most vegetables, and is also a great source of prebiotics, which help to feed human microflora, resulting in a superior gut microbiome.
Chicory root has been cultivated since ancient Egyptian times, and has been a common addition to coffee from as far back as the 1800's due to its similar flavour profile and health benefits. It contains anti-inflammatory properties, and helps protect the liver by preventing free radical formation. Chicory root contains fiber, vitamin B6, manganese, and other micronutrients which help to provide a balanced diet. Alongside inulin-rich dandelion root, chicory root is comprised of nearly 68% inulin, which is a valuable prebiotic that feeds human microflora, resulting in a superior gut microbiome. It is worth noting that while the roasting process of chicory does lower the overall inulin content, the roasted root still contains around 18-19% inulin content.
Cinnamon is excellent at warming the body by increasing blood flow, and helps to support the respiratory, nervous, circulatory, urinary, and reproductive systems. Plus, it adds a dimension of flavour that regular coffee just can't compete with!
So what makes our herbal coffee different than other coffee alternatives on the market?
1) We hand-blend each jar in small batches with the freshest herbal ingredients to ensure the highest quality and tastiest brew that money can buy.
2) We emphasize the use of whole chopped herbal ingredients for maximum flavour potency while forgoing the grittiness that most powdered blends provide. Plus, no yucky layer of sludge at the bottom of your cup, so you can sip and enjoy every last drop!
3) We utilize re-usable and recyclable, zero-waste glass packaging. This allows us to vacuum seal each jar to remove excess oxygen and preserve the freshness and flavor of your brew, without introducing micro-plastics or non-recyclable material into your household. We care about the planet as much as your comfort, health, and satisfaction!
So go ahead, make the switch and treat your body to a nourishing, organic herbal coffee today!
Flourish Apothecary of Cobble Hill, BC is a woman-owned online herbal shop specializing in organic and wild-crafted natural health products. Each product is hand-crafted from freshly harvested medicinal herbs on Vancouver Island. We believe in planet before profit, and emphasize sustainable business practices to ensure we can deliver the highest-quality goods without having a negative affect on the planet.