Dandelion coffee In 1919, dandelion root was noted as a source of cheap 'coffee'. It has also been part of edible plant classes dating back at least to the 1970s. Harvesting dandelion roots requires differentiating 'true' dandelions ("Taraxacum" spp.) from other yellow daisy-like flowers such as catsear and hawksbeard. True dandelions have a ground-level rosette of deep-toothed leaves and hollow straw-like stems. Large plants that are 3–4 years old, with taproots approximately 0.5 inch (13 mm) in diameter, are harvested for dandelion coffee. These taproots are similar in appearance to pale carrots. After harvesting, the dandelion roots are dried, chopped, and roasted.
Dandelion coffee want to stop their standard medicine and take [dandelion tea] instead because of these really unfounded claims. They can die if they do that." — Dr. Caroline Hamm Unroasted "Taraxacum officinale" (among other dandelion species) root contains: Dandelion coffee Dandelion 'coffee' (also dandelion tea) is herbal tea used as a coffee substitute, made from the root of the dandelion plant. The roasted dandelion root pieces and the beverage have some resemblance to coffee in appearance and taste. Susanna Moodie explained how to prepare dandelion 'coffee' in her memoir of living in Canada, "Roughing it in the Bush" (1852), where she