My friend Jessica Espinoza has recently started a line of herbal coffees. UPDATE: Jessica has ceased production of her herbal in lieu of acomprehensive instructional guide (and “coffee” recipes) on how to make them yourself. I have heard of these “herbal coffees” and have been very curious, but I've never taken the time to check them out. One friend sent me a sample and I keep misplacing it. I have even bought one of the regular ingredients – roasted chicory root – but never got any further than that.
When Jessica came out with hers, I asked for a sample and promised I would get myself in gear and make a review.
Oh my goodness. I am just in love with the two blends she sent for me to try! For what it's worth, I am not an affiliate for Jessica's product but if you buy because of my review post, please let her know I sent you her way!
So I've been on a hot egg nog for breakfast jag… I have always loved a hot drink with or for breakfast during the winter. I look forward to these delicious creamy drinks so much that I think about them just before I go to bed, knowing that's what I'll get to have in the morning.
When Jessica's herbal “coffee [affiliate link]” blends arrived, it was a no-brainer to use the “coffee” as the base for my egg nog breakfast drinks. I have loved doctored up coffee since my teens. Let me tell you that story and then you'll know why I've purposely never been a dedicated coffee drinker, in spite of loving the flavor.
When I was 16, I worked as a mall maid. I worked six days a week to get my 40 hours and my “day” began at 4pm. The security guards and janitors shared the same break room and coffee, sugar and cream was abundant. One day I decided to try a cup of coffee, doctored up with lots of sugar and powdered cream (double ick, I know!) and it was this lovely caramel coffee flavored wonder. I loved it and drank a cup every single day for about two weeks. Then one day we were out of coffee and I didn't even think about going somewhere and buying coffee, I just went without.
Well.
I spent the next few hours walking around like a zombie because I was falling asleep standing. I decided that my body had gotten used to the caffeine that quickly and I made up my mind I was NEVER going to be one of THOSE people who had to have coffee just to get up in the morning and to make it through the day. From then on, I rarely drank coffee.
But as I said, I have always loved the flavor, not the bitterness, mind you, but the doctored up coffee flavor. Another favorite growing up was Jamoca Almond Fudge ice cream from Thrifty Drug Store. Even poor people could afford to buy a nickel scoop of ice cream! We didn't do it very often, but it was a treat for the seven of us children.
So back to Jessica's herbal “coffees”. I boiled one tablespoon as instructed and took a taste. Bitter! But I knew that was a good sign that the coffee flavor would shine through even after “doctoring” it up. I laughed to myself that I was enjoying something bitter, since it is not really one of my favorite tastes.
Jessica sent me two samples: Clean Living Herbal Coffee [affiliate link] and the other is Happy Liver Herbal Coffee. I liked both equally, both tasted like bitter coffee and were simply delicious once doctored up. 🙂
Since I have the MTHFR mutation, my liver can always stand to have support, so I especially like the idea of the Happy Liver Herbal Coffee. Jessica has a post at her site which will tell you all about the benefits of each herb used in the Happy Liver Herbal Coffee.
At first I just made one batch at a time, but then I decided to just make the rest of the packet. That was awesome being able to get up the next morning and have ready to use “coffee” for my drinks.
I really love that I could have this for a drink late at night and it wouldn't keep me awake! I'm looking forward to trying some other variations… I am imagining a coffee shake… iced coffee, what a treat that would be! I LOVE iced coffee! Thank you Jessica for this awesome creation! Now you can make Jessica's herbal coffee blends yourself with her instructional guide that shows you how! Get yours today: DIY Herbal Coffee Substitutes: A complete guide to making delicious herbal coffees to support healing and stress relief.
Cinnamon Mocha Hot Egg Nog
- 10 ounces “coffee”
- 2 large eggs [affiliate link]
- 1 tablespoon vanilla [affiliate link]
- sweetener of your choice
- 1 tablespoon gelatin [affiliate link] powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon [affiliate link]
- 1 tablespoon ghee
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil [affiliate link]
- Blend coffee and eggs together until well blended.
- Pour into a thick bottomed pan and add vanilla, sweetener, then whisk in gelatin and cinnamon.
- Stir frequently and heat until just 160°F.
- Remove from heat, add ghee and coconut oil and hit with an emulsion blender.
Serves 1 person.
- 10 ounces "coffee"
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- sweetener of your choice
- 1 tablespoon gelatin powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ghee
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- Blend coffee and eggs together until well blended.
- Pour into a thick bottomed pan and add vanilla, sweetener, then whisk in gelatin and cinnamon.
- Stir frequently and heat until just 160°F.
- Remove from heat, add ghee and coconut oil and hit with an emulsion blender.
- Serve and enjoy!
If you love desserts like this, I have two cookbooks you really need to check out ASAP! Everyone Loves Pudding and Naturally Sweetened Treats.
This sounds yummy! I am intrigued, thanks for sharing!
Anyhoo, I found your blog through a fellow blogger, and just thought I would stop by and say hi! It would totally make my day if you did the same… or better yet, keep in touch!! <3 – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Hello…are those following the GAPS diet allowed to enjoy the herbal coffees too? I am confused at to whether or not beverages made from Dandelion and chicory root are allowed? Do you have any insight? I have been following the GAPS diet for 100 days now -thanks!
Hi Kathy, wow, I guess I thought since we weren’t actually ingesting the roots it would be okay, but according to this site chicory root should be avoided since it contains large amounts of fructooligosaccharides. http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/legal/detail/chickory-root/ I’m not seeing that dandelion root is addressed.