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Most of us start the day with a big steaming mug of coffee, a small, sophisticated cup of espresso, or a creamy, frothy cappuccino. Coffee is a big deal—nearly three in four Americans drink it daily, with more than 35 percent consuming three to five cups. Coffee is so ingrained in our routines that many find it difficult to get through the day without it.

Research suggests that moderate coffee consumption (up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day) is generally safe and may even offer health benefits. However, 10 percent of coffee drinkers believe they need to cut back. While coffee has its benefits, it doesn’t affect everyone the same way. Some people experience jitters, anxiety, or insomnia. Additionally, coffee’s acidity can exacerbate acid reflux, and it may increase heart rate and blood pressure.

Another reason some people seek to replace coffee, of course, is pregnancy. According to research from the National Institutes of Health, caffeine may cause blood vessels in the uterus and placenta to constrict, which may reduce the blood supply to the fetus.

If you want to replace your morning cup of Joe, you’re in luck. There are many delicious coffee alternatives available. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the top choices to consider.

Dandy Blend

Roasted dandelion root is nutritious and coffee-like

Dandelion coffee is a caffeine-free beverage made from the roasted roots of dandelion plants. It’s loved for its rich, earthy, slightly bitter flavor and its health benefits. In fact, research suggests that dandelions are rich in vitamins A, B, C, and D, as well as iron, potassium, and zinc. When it comes to dandelion beverages, there are plenty of options on the market, but for many, Dandy Blend’s Instant Herbal Beverage is a favorite.

The coffee-like blend is made with a mix of dandelion root, chicory root, barley, and rye, and while it’s caffeine-free, it looks just like coffee granules, and it has a pleasantly smooth texture. “I really missed the flavor of coffee, so I ordered some Dandy Blend, and I’ve gotta say that I love it,” said one Reddit user in a thread about quitting caffeine. “I made a mock latte, and I feel great.”

Another pleased customer wrote on Amazon: “This is just too delicious. It tastes like a smooth mocha latte or cappuccino. Such a great flavor and it mixes well. No clumps.”
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Worldwide Botanicals

Chicory grind is earthy, nutty, and bitter

Similar to dandelion coffee, chicory root coffee is made from, you guessed it, the roasted roots of the chicory plant (which is also in the dandelion family). When it’s ground, chicory root has an earthy flavor, with a slightly nutty undertone. It’s not quite as coffee-like as some other options on the market, and some find it to be too bitter or too tough on their digestive system (be mindful when trying it for the first time!), but others enjoy it when it’s mixed with creamer.

“I like it! If you add cream and vanilla it tastes like coffee with creamer,” said one Reddit user about chicory root coffee. Another added: “I’ve used it even before I tapered my caffeine use, as an afternoon style coffee drink. Hits the spot for me.”

One of the most popular chicory root coffee blends is from Worldwide Botanicals, which can be brewed in a French press, just like one you’d use for coffee. One Amazon reviewer said earlier this year: “I put a smaller than recommended amount (because I don’t need it real strong) in my French press, add half and half, and it is delicious. It tastes very fresh, a good size for the price, and I am about to order more.”
shop worldwide botanicals on Amazon

Mud\Wtr

Mushroom coffee is smooth and energizing

Mushroom coffee—which is usually made with a blend of functional mushrooms like chaga, lion’s mane, and reishi—has soared in popularity in recent years. In fact, in 2025, the global mushroom coffee market exceeded $3.2 billion.

One of the most popular brands of mushroom-based coffee on the market is Mud\Wtr’s Original Blend, which combines ingredients like masala chai with cacao, lion’s mane, cordyceps, chaga, reishi, cinnamon, turmeric, and Himalayan salt to create a smooth, energizing drink that, some people believe, tastes even better than coffee. It might take a few drinks of it before you’re converted, though.

“I’m on my second month of using it every day, and I love it,” said one Redditor. “Flavor is excellent, though if I remember right I didn’t exactly think so at first. Might have taken some time to grow on me. Now I look forward to it every day, more than I did coffee.”
shop mud\wtr on Amazon

Check out more of our favorite mushroom coffee brands

Jade Leaf’s Organic Japanese Matcha Jade Leaf

Matcha is grassy, antioxidant-rich, and high in caffeine

If you don’t want caffeine, look away now.

Matcha is a type of powdered green tea that originates from Japan and is known for its vibrant green color, rich flavor, and high caffeine content. It differs from coffee, though, because it also contains catechins, which are powerful antioxidants. Plus, it contains L-theanine, a naturally occurring amino acid that may help to reduce stress and improve focus without making you feel drowsy.

There are many different matcha options available, but Jade Leaf’s Organic Japanese Matcha is a popular choice. In fact, the brand is one of the leading matcha brands in the US. Its 100 percent organic, top-quality matcha is sourced from family-owned partner farms across the Uji and Kagoshima regions in Japan.

“I’ve tried several brands of matcha over the years, but this is my all-time favorite,” said one Amazon reviewer. “Matcha contains L-Theanine, which mellows you out and honestly is just the best thing ever! It also contains caffeine, so it gives you energy. The two things working together [are] like a natural speedball!”
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Check out 20 Top Matcha Tips

FigBrew

Fig brew is high in fiber and fruity

Figs are known for their digestive benefits. They’re a good source of dietary fiber, which helps to support healthy digestion and add bulk to stool, which in turn helps to keep bowel movements regular and firm. It also works as a prebiotic, which helps to feed the healthy bacteria in our guts.

If you don’t want to eat figs, another option is to drink them. This Original Digestive Roast from Figbrew, which is made with roasted figs, is 100 percent organic and has a pleasant fruity flavor. The flavor is not quite like coffee, but many fans comment on how tasty it is in its own right.

“It mimics a cup of coffee while being distinctly its own in fig flavor,” said one pleased Amazon customer. They added: “I like that Figgee requires me to brew as if it were coffee—it’s part of the added experience of preparing a beverage that I’ve been accustomed to enjoying—a pour-over cup of coffee.”
shop figbrew on Amazon

U.S. Wellness Naturals

Yerba mate is smooth, invigorating, and jitter-free

Yerba mate is a traditional South American beverage made from the dried leaves of the yerba mate plant. It’s long been popular in countries where the plant is native, like Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, but it’s also gained popularity in the West as an energizing coffee alternative. This is because, much like coffee, yerba mate is stimulating, but many find it to be a smoother, more sustained energy boost than the one they get from coffee.

“The main reason I started drinking yerba is [because] I had a sensitivity to caffeine and coffee would take my breath away and make me jittery but I can drink yerba no problem,” said one Redditor. Another added: “I still drink coffee and tea, but for some reason, [yerba mate] is the only thing that actually wakes me up a little bit. Like, coffee and tea straight up do nothing to me; I just like the taste. But mate can make me go from a tired state to a slightly less tired one when I need it.”

There are many different yerba mate options to choose from, but one of the most popular is this certified organic blend from U.S. Wellness Naturals. It is made with plants from the Brazilian rainforest, which are sourced through a sustainable cooperative of yerba mate cultivators in Brazil.
shop yerba mate on Amazon

rooibos rocks tea Rooibos Rocks

Rooibos is tannin-free and pregnancy-safe

Unlike coffee, rooibos tea—which is a naturally caffeine-free herbal tea from a shrub native to South Africa—is generally considered to be a safe drink to consume throughout pregnancy. It also might actually be beneficial: rooibos doesn’t contain tannins, like other teas, which can block iron absorption (iron needs tend to be higher during pregnancy), and it contains antioxidants, too.

Rooibos doesn’t taste like coffee; in fact, it’s actually quite sweet and fruity, but many people say they enjoyed switching from coffee to rooibos during pregnancy. “I fell in love with rooibos tea during my last pregnancy while I was avoiding caffeine,” said one Redditor. “Definitely recommend trying it.”

South Africa-based brand Rooibos Rocks is a popular brand of rooibos tea. Its biodegradable tea bags are filled with organic rooibos leaves, which were sourced from local farmers in South Africa.
shop rooibos rocks on Amazon

Voyage Foods

Bean-free coffee is flavorful, rich, and sustainable

If you love cold coffee, keep an eye out for Voyage Foods’ Bean-Free Coffee. Similar to Atomo, it’s not actually made with coffee beans. Instead, it’s made with a mix of water, roasted chickpeas, rice hulls, green tea caffeine, and natural flavors. The result is a more sustainable cold brew that has the same deep, rich, delicious taste as normal coffee.

Voyage Foods’ Bean-Free Coffee isn’t widely available yet, but keep an eye on its website and social media for updates.

Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.

Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the plant-based lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include links where we might earn a small commission, but in no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.

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