We Tried Several Coffee Alternatives: Our Favorite Caffeine-Free Option is Under 5 Cents Per Cup

Even without ingesting any caffeine, it’s shocking to see: in just four years, the price of coffee has soared nearly 50%, according to Insee. And the increase might continue: experts predict a further inflation of about 10% by 2026, as reported by Le Particulier Conso. At an independent coffee shop, an espresso now costs about 3 euros. However, you don’t need to sit at a café to feel the pinch; at home too, coffee takes a toll on the budget. With the cost of a Nespresso capsule around 50 cents, drinking two to three cups daily can add up to several hundred euros annually. Beyond the cost, an increasing number of consumers are looking for alternatives for health reasons. “Coffee made me jittery, and I suffered from heartburn,” shares Sofia, a former addict. Like her, more and more coffee enthusiasts are turning to coffee substitutes. Made from roasted grains, chicory, or even mushrooms, these alternative beverages are expanding in supermarket and health food store aisles. We’ve tasted several to find the one that offers the best quality-price ratio.

The most trendy right now is the so-called adaptogenic coffee made from mushrooms. You see it all over Instagram: enhanced focus, vitality without anxiety, immune support… It promises a real cocktail of benefits. But do these benefits justify the cost, sometimes up to 1 euro per cup? “There’s nothing conclusive,” Dr. Léa Tramont tells us. “The big problem is that the studies are based on very limited samples.” So it’s too early to claim any real effects. Moreover, some recipes contain a bit of caffeine and the flavor is more akin to cocoa than coffee. Barley coffee, or orzo, offers a pleasant roasted grain flavor, but its price is close to that of regular coffee. Chicory, with its gentle bitterness, remains one of the most economical alternatives, around 10 cents per cup. But there’s an even cheaper option.

At just 8 euros per kilogram, costing less than 2 cents per cup, Yannoh is the most affordable coffee substitute we’ve found. It is made from a blend of roasted chicory, rye, barley, and acorns. It’s this combination that stands out. “The taste is perfectly balanced; it’s my favorite alternative!” writes one online reviewer.

Naturally caffeine-free and ready in seconds with just a bit of simmering water, it’s also the option that has convinced us the most. Sure, it’s not as nuanced as a specialty coffee, but at this price, it’s hard to do better!