Many years ago, I used to really like fresh coffee - but I became aware that after I had drunk it, I had a vague stomach ache. It was not the sort of intense pain that had you reaching for pain relief - more of an uncomfortable and slightly unpleasant feeling. I'm sure that many people must feel this but still continue drinking it for the taste and the stimulation. However, once I became pregnant, I could not abide the slightest whiff of a coffee smell; a cup right across the room with coffee dregs at the bottom would make me retch. This signalled the end of my unrequited love with coffee. I finally listened to my body telling me it considered it a toxin - and never .  Read the complete review

You might remember seeing 'Camp Coffee', the 'poor mans coffee' produced by R.Paterson and Sons Ltd of Glasgow which you can still buy in many stores today! So how did they make their brewing coffee so cheap? Their secret was chicory essence, the roasted and ground root of the chicory plant which mirrored the rich bitterness of the (then and still) expensive and much sought after commodity: coffee. So what does that bit of history have to do with this product? Well, since the Camp coffee essence that dates back to earlier than World War I, many companies have used elements of this effective adulteration to the quintessential morning beverage through various ...  Read the complete review

I am going to tell you why I drink acorns, mad but totally delicious, and very good for you! Regular readers of my reviews will know that I have M E. This means that I cannot tolerate much caffeine. I can have the odd coffee, but more than that and it has dire consequences on my heart rhythm. Many years predating getting this disease I was really interested in the alternative coffee substitutes, mainly because I found the rows of them lined up in health food stores to be fascinating, and so it has been my delight to enjoy a drink called Bambu for many years. Bambu is made by A Vogel and contains organically grown Chicory, Wheat, Malted Barley, Figs, ...  Read the complete review

I gave up caffeine whilst pregnant and was looking for a substitute, that was not decaffeinated coffee when I stumbled across Bambu in my local health food store, I have been hooked ever since and no longer drink caffeine. I recently bought a new 100g jar for £3.85 in my local health food store. Bambu is a coffee substitute developed by A Vogel a world renowned Swiss naturopath and has been around for over 60 years. It is made from organically grown chicory, figs, malted barley, wheat and acorns and is ground to a powdery consistency that smells creamy and slightly sweet. To make up the drink you add a teaspoon into a mug or cup and pour on hot ...  Read the complete review