Coffee For People Who Don’t Like Coffee

Coffee Yet Not Coffee List

The most important thing to be aware of for those who self-identify as cup of joe haters is to pinpoint what it is that they don’t like about it in particular. Is it the aftertaste? The intense bitterness? The coffee health risks? Knowing which components are the issue will help you find an option that works. Here’s a quick list of the top coffee options that help coffee not seem like coffee:

1. Flavor Additives

One of the most common solutions to skeptics is to add a flavor. Mocha, caramel, pumpkin spice. Every basic white girl has found a home in the world of flavor additives. While this does diminish the bitterness of our beloved drink, it can also add loads of calories and sugar to it. 

If this is worth the payout, then give this a shot. We also recommend asking for half the normal amount of additive if sugar and calories intake is the concern. This gives less of a sweet aftertaste but still diminishes the bitterness. 

2. Roast

The level of roast makes a huge difference when it comes to flavor. That being said, be sure to look into the styles of roast to find the flavor that you prefer. Roast affects the bitterness, heaviness, and taste of your cup, so you might just need to give yourself a bit more of an open mind when it comes to diving into the world of java. There is a lot that mainstream coffee drinkers don’t tap into. 

3. Cream and Sugar

Similar to flavor additives, you can go back to the basics and add some cream and sugar to your brew to give a less intense aftertaste. The same issues apply, however. Sugar and cream come with loads of calories and, obviously, sugar. 

Certain variants of this are better than others, and it does maintain a bit more of the natural flavor compared to flavor additives which can be a plus or negative depending on your preference. Like anything, the more you add, the farther away from the authentic flavor you will be. 

Some people swing the pendulum so far that the drink turns into cream and sugar with a side of coffee rather than the other way around. While we definitely don’t recommend this, there are loads of “coffee” drinks at local cafes that are basically this with a quirky name attached, so it is a possible solution. Try a frappuccino if this sounds like a good fit for you. 

4. Outliers

Outside of these ways to help mask the bitterness of natural java, there are some outlier drinks that are still under the umbrella of java flavor without actually being a true brew. First, there is Dandelion root tea. Yes, we are aware that the word tea is in the name, but this tea is eerily similar to the family flavor of java with less intense bitterness. 

Another option is chicory root, which can be prepared like coffee grounds and give a similar overall flavor. Lastly, is the Capomo, also known as Maya nut, which is considered a superfood and made in the same way as coffee. Take your pick between these three options and see if this is the perfect solution to your dilemma.

For those that don’t like coffee because of the negative health issues and other components of being true coffee, this is a great compromise to finding a similar drink without the unappealing aftermath.