Author Topic: Dandelion root "coffee"  (Read 2990 times)

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Offline WhistlingBadger

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Dandelion root "coffee"
« on: April 22, 2024, 11:56:52 pm »
The Badger family was weeding our severely neglected garden beds the other day, and excavated some rather huge dandelion roots. The Badgerling and I had heard of pioneer types making "coffee" out of dandelion roots, so culinary adventurers that we are, we decided to make some and try it.

Here are the roots, cleaned up and cut into about 1" pieces. We sliced the really thick ones so they would all cook a little more evenly.


We roasted them in a 350F oven for about an hour, until they turned a nice, dark, coffee-like brown. The house smelled rather nice, if a bit odd. This evening, I put about 3 tablespoons of the roots in about 3 cups of hot water brought them to a boil, simmered the mix for around 10 minutes, then poured it through a strainer. The resulting beverage has a nice color and smells rather nice.



Taste? Not bad.  It has a nice, pleasant roasty flavor without the bitterness or sharpness of actual coffee. A bit bland. The next batch, I'll grind the roots and/or use more. Would be nice mixed with chicory root, maybe, but that doesn't grow around here. I put a little honey in mine; the Badgerling added a splash of milk, both with satisfactory results. It isn't coffee, but next time I feel the need for a warming, roasty tasting drink without the caffeine, this might do the trick. And of course, it's extraordinarily affordable.
Thomas
Lander, Wyoming
"The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail.
Travel too fast, and you miss all you are traveling for."
~Louis L'Amour

Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Dandelion root "coffee"
« Reply #1 on: April 25, 2024, 08:26:22 pm »
This has long been on my "to do" list.

I know I enjoy a cup of chickory blend coffee from time to time, especially when camping. This may have to be added to the camping repertoire.
Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.

Offline Muskyman

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Re: Dandelion root "coffee"
« Reply #2 on: April 25, 2024, 09:28:48 pm »
I’ve never heard of that but, I remember picking the greens when I was a kid and my mom cooked them and we ate them. Don’t remember the taste at all.

Offline WhistlingBadger

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Re: Dandelion root "coffee"
« Reply #3 on: April 25, 2024, 09:47:59 pm »
I’ve never heard of that but, I remember picking the greens when I was a kid and my mom cooked them and we ate them. Don’t remember the taste at all.

The young greens just taste like lettuce, and are quite good.  The older ones are too bitter for me to gag down.
Thomas
Lander, Wyoming
"The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail.
Travel too fast, and you miss all you are traveling for."
~Louis L'Amour

Offline White Falcon

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Re: Dandelion root "coffee"
« Reply #4 on: April 27, 2024, 10:32:53 am »
Young leaves  are very good.

Offline White Falcon

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Re: Dandelion root "coffee"
« Reply #5 on: April 28, 2024, 11:00:49 am »
Say on another site.

Offline bjrogg

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Re: Dandelion root "coffee"
« Reply #6 on: April 29, 2024, 02:58:50 pm »
Thanks WB. Might have to try this. Have lots of dandelions and chickory growing around here.

Reminds me to keep my eye on the stinging nettle and milkweeds .

Bjrogg
A hot cup of coffee and a beautiful sunrise

Offline Jeembo

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Re: Dandelion root "coffee"
« Reply #7 on: May 20, 2024, 07:50:33 am »

Taste? Not bad.  It has a nice, pleasant roasty flavor without the bitterness or sharpness of actual coffee. A bit bland. The next batch, I'll grind the roots and/or use more. Would be nice mixed with chicory root, maybe, but that doesn't grow around here. I put a little honey in mine; the Badgerling added a splash of milk, both with satisfactory results. It isn't coffee, but next time I feel the need for a warming, roasty tasting drink without the caffeine, this might do the trick. And of course, it's extraordinarily affordable.

Adding a bit of chicory(around 1/10th compared to main grind) and some cinnamon(like 3rd a tablespoon) made wonders for me personally. Give it a shot
Attending deer bow season+muzzleloader season this year.
Also hunting hogs with 9mm carabine all year round

Offline YosemiteBen

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Re: Dandelion root "coffee"
« Reply #8 on: May 26, 2024, 01:23:51 am »
Very nice!