Dandelion coffee 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 mentions that she had heard of it from an article published in the 1830s in "New York Albion" by a certain Dr. Harrison. Dandelion 'coffee' was later mentioned in a "Harpers New Monthly Magazine" story in 1886.
Sium sisarum plant is dormant during the winter, as in the spring, the roots become woody and covered with small hairs. Lack of moisture can also make the root more fibrous. The plant prefers sandy and moist soil. The roots are scrubbed, cut into lengths, boiled, and served like parsnips or carrots. Skirret roots can be stewed, baked, roasted, fried in batter as fritter, or creamed, and also be grated and used raw in salads. A woody core may be present in some roots, though this seems to be variable in different plants. If present, it should be removed before cooking because