Coffee Information

There are a number of coffee alternatives out on the market for those who want to reduce their coffee intake. Roasted chicory root has long been used as a coffee substitute. The root of the chicory plant is long and thick, and when roasted and ground it produces a caffeine-free, roasted flavor beverage that claims it has the ability to cleanse the blood and improve liver function.

Many coffee substitute beverages combine roasted chicory with other herbs, grains or nuts such as carob and barley, like Teechino (*est. $6 for an 8.5-ounce can), and a variety of spices such as star anise, cinnamon or allspice, like Roastaroma (*est. $3 for 20 tea bags). These beverages create blends that attempt to mimic flavors enjoyed by coffee lovers such as chocolaty, full-bodied tastes, or nutty, mellow tastes.

In addition to reviews of hundreds of coffee brands and blends, CoffeeReview.com has great information on the coffee-making process and political issues like Fair Trade agreements.

GlobalExchange.org also offers good background information about Fair Trade coffee. It has FAQs, an annotated coffee bibliography and a list of Fair Trade coffee cooperatives, among other info.

FairTradeUSA.org is the website of the Fair Trade certification organization. It gives an overview of the coffee program, including information for importers and roasters interested in certification. There is also a list of certified producers categorized by crop, name and country.

You can find information on blends, beans, country of origin, etc. on manufacturer websites:

Eight O'Clock

Caribou Coffee

Dunkin' Donuts

Maxwell House

Millstone

Peet's

Green Mountain Coffee

Folgers

Starbucks

Chock full o'Nuts