The morning cup of coffee has long been a common feature of busy and successful people. But there are different opinions on the health benefits of coffee. If you want to reduce your consumption, we have some ideas on how to do this without depriving yourself of extra energy. Pink has selected eight trendy and safe, yet invigorating alternatives.
Matcha latte
© Jason Leung / Unsplash
The new favorite of stars, Instagram bloggers and fans of healthy eating. It is based on Japanese powdered green tea and milk. However, instead of regular milk, an alternative vegetable is most often added to matcha latte. For example, coconut or oatmeal. Tea aficionados find it more ethical and delicious. Matcha latte is an unusual, photogenic and very healthy drink of bright green color, which invigorates as well as coffee. At the same time, caffeine in matcha is distinguished by its action. Compared to the coffee alkaloid, it has a milder and longer lasting effect and does not cause drowsiness. And matcha powder has nearly ten times more antioxidants than regular green tea. In addition, it contains the amino acid L-theanine, which is responsible for the production of "happiness hormones".
Acorn coffee
Acorn coffee is another healthy tonic for anyone who's bored with the taste of traditional coffee. There is no caffeine in its composition, but there are a lot of useful substances. For example, the antioxidant quercetin activates regenerative processes and effectively relieves spasms, inflammation and swelling. You can buy acorn coffee powder over the counter or you can make your own. To do this, ripe acorns must be peeled, cut into small pieces, fried and ground to a powder state - in texture it will resemble ground coffee beans. To prepare a drink, pour a teaspoon of the powder with a glass of water, boil for two to three minutes and let it brew for five minutes. Try adding a little cinnamon to the finished coffee to enhance the tonic effect.
Unsweetened cocoa
© Alisa Anton / Unsplash
Cocoa has a mild tonic effect and improves concentration. It is made from crushed cocoa beans. Thanks to the caffeine and its related theobromine, cocoa will easily invigorate you even after a sleepless night. In addition, the chocolate tree is considered the only plant that contains anandamide. This trace element causes a feeling of euphoria and increases the level of the "happiness hormone" - endorphin. Cocoa is also good for relieving tension and accelerating muscle recovery after exhausting workouts. However, all these properties apply only to natural cocoa. It has a rich brown color, a homogeneous mass and a fat content of about 15%. Instant drink cannot replace coffee.
Turmeric latte
The second name for turmeric latte is "golden milk". It is a warming Indian drink made from milk and turmeric spices. It not only invigorates and helps maintain energy throughout the day, but it also protects against seasonal colds by activating the cells of the immune system. The antioxidant curcumin, which is part of the seasoning, speeds up metabolism, strengthens memory, improves skin tone and reduces cravings for sweets and fatty foods. And thanks to its rich orange color, turmeric latte looks very impressive in the pictures. To make this drink at home, add half a teaspoon of turmeric and a pinch of ginger, cinnamon and cardamom to a glass of milk. Mix well. After that, it remains to bring the mixture to a boil and season it with honey or Jerusalem artichoke syrup.
Barley coffee
The drink made from roasted and ground barley grains has long been popular in Italian coffee houses and bars. Before the advent of decaf coffee, it was the only alternative for those who are contraindicated in this natural stimulant. Barley coffee has a good tonic effect and activates metabolic processes. Like classic coffee, it is recommended to prepare a drink made from barley grains in a Turk. In this case, its taste will be more intense and deep. If there is no time for the "correct" preparation, it is enough to pour boiling water over the grains and leave under the lid for five minutes. The drink tastes better when seasoned with chicory, cinnamon or ginger. The only drawback is that barley coffee is not suitable for people with gluten intolerance.
Beetroot latte
© maddi bazzocco / unsplash
Another trendy alternative to coffee is the beet latte. This is an invention of Australian baristas, which is suitable for those who have problems with blood vessels and pressure. The rich pink color of a beet-based drink alone can cheer you up on a cold morning. In addition, this latte speeds up metabolism, improves mental abilities, improves tone and gives a boost of vivacity for the whole day. To prepare a drink, mix sweet beetroot fresh with warmed and whipped vegetable milk. Especially useful is a latte made with almond or soy milk with the addition of ginger and cinnamon. By the way, beetroot coffee is also popular because it is great for latte art. The basic version is caffeine-free, but you can add a cup of espresso to your latte if desired.
Sweet potato coffee
Dried and crushed flowering sweet potato seeds can be used as a coffee substitute. This drink tastes like traditional coffee. In addition, it stimulates the central nervous system almost as effectively. No wonder the sweet potato drink is so appealing to those who decide to quit drinking coffee. And yet, the sweet potato-based analog has many contraindications. For example, it should not be drunk by pregnant and lactating women, allergy sufferers, and people with sensitive stomachs. By the way, yam tubers are sometimes used instead of seeds for making coffee. They are baked, peeled, mashed with a blender and mixed with milk, brown sugar and spices. The drink is filtered through a fine sieve and poured into circles.
Mushroom coffee
Chagachino mushroom coffee contains half the caffeine, while it perfectly invigorates and energizes. Unlike the original, it has a milder earthy taste that can be easily neutralized with milk and various additives. Chagachino resembles something between coffee and tea. It is prepared from freshly harvested chaga growing on a birch tree in central Russia, Siberia and Karelia. From the dried mushrooms, an instant, concentrated powder is obtained that can be mixed with cocoa, cinnamon, vanilla, ground ginger or regular coffee. Chaga neutralizes caffeic acid, so even with the addition of coffee, the drink is safe for the stomach. Mushroom coffee also improves digestion, lowers blood sugar, strengthens the immune system, maintains healthy bones and helps you lose weight.>