From Coffee to Chicory: One Person's Quest for a Morning Boost
The author reflects on their dependence on coffee and decides to explore alternative ways to start their day. With global prices of coffee at an all-time high, driven by rising production costs, tight supply, and a weak New Zealand dollar, they opt for cheaper alternatives.
Coffee essence, made from the root crop chicory, was one such option. The author purchased Bushells' coffee essence for $11, which yields 50 cups of 'coffee.' They found it to have about half the amount of caffeine as a cup of regular coffee and enjoyed its flavor.
The author also tried other alternatives like bathing, tea (specifically Bell tea), masala chai, green tea, and deep breathing. While some options had drawbacks or did not provide the same energy boost as coffee, they found that certain alternatives, such as apple cider vinegar and stretching, were effective in giving them a morning pick-me-up.