How to Roast Dandelion Root- Coffee Substitute

A natural coffee substitute is growing right in your backyard! Dandelion is an abundant, often overlooked natural resource. Instead of spraying your dandelions this year, try pulling the dandelions by hand to roast dandelion root as a coffee substitute.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• dandelion root
• scissors
• a bowl
• a sink or hose
• a blender or food processor
• cookie sheets
• an oven, gas or electric
• a kitchen towel
• a spatula
• storage containers

1. Pull the dandelions. It's best to pull dandelions right after a good rain so the soil is soft. Also, if you pull dandelions in spring, most of their nutrients are stored in the roots. Grab the dandelions directly below the leaves, gathering all the leaves in your hand as you pull straight upwards. This way you will be able to pull up as much of the dandelion root as possible. Dandelion root can be more than 2 feet long, so be prepared for some pretty long roots.

2. Use a scissors to cut the leaves from the roots. You can use the leaves, freeze them for later, or discard them. Gather the roots into a large bowl. Bring the bowl to your sink or hose- this can be a messy process!

3. Fill the bowl with water and agitate the dandelion root with your hands. Dump out the muddy water and fill the bowl again. Agitate the dandelion root, dump out the muddy water, and repeat the process until the water is clear and the dandelion roots are a nice tan color.

4. Cut the dandelion roots with your scissors into pieces about two inches long. As you are cutting, be sure to check to be sure there is no mud on your dandelion root. Put the cut-up dandelion root into your blender or food processor about two cups at a time. Grind it up to small pieces. The pieces should be about one-half to one-quarter inch in length. You want small pieces, but not a powder, in order to make the drying and roasting process quicker.

5. If you have an electric oven, turn it on to 250 degrees. If you have a gas oven, be sure the pilot light is on. As the oven is warming up, place your cut-up dandelion root onto cookie sheets about one-quarter to one-half inch deep. Place the cookie sheets into the oven, leaving the door slightly ajar so the moisture escapes. The easiest way to accomplish this is to put a kitchen towel in the oven door so that it stays open just 2 inches or so.

6. Use a spatula to stir the dandelion root about every 15 minutes or so. You'll need to roast the dandelion root for between one and a half to two hours for it to be fully roasted. The longest part of the process is the drying of the dandelion root. Once it is dry, be sure to monitor the dandelion root carefully so that it does not burn. The dandelion root will change from a tan color to a deep brown, coffee-like color.

7. Once the roasted dandelion root has cooled completely, store it in glass or plastic storage containers. I use glass jars. You can boil the dandelion root in a pan on the stove like tea, or you can use it in a coffee maker after grinding it in a coffee grinder. I like to use it in addition to coffee in a coffee pot. Roast dandelion root is really a delicious coffee substitute!

Tips & Warnings

• Because of its detoxifying properties, dandelion root is a diuretic.

[QueenofMisc]

on 5/13/2009 i've heard of it but never knew how to do this. not a coffee drinker but it makes me want to try it. i wonder if it is free of caffeine. :-)

[GreenMomma]

on 5/11/2009 Well this is something I have NEVER heard of! Great article!!!!