Rethinking your morning cup of coffee

by Yeounsu Koh

To all the coffee lovers out there, do you drink it for the caffeine or the taste? I’ve always found myself torn between the two. Some mornings, it’s the rich bitterness of an Americano that wakes me up. Other times, I reach for it just to survive back-to-back lectures or late-night assignments. But lately, I’ve been noticing a shift- not just in myself, but in the people around me. A lot of people are cutting back on coffee or replacing it with something new. Not because they suddenly dislike it, but because they’re becoming more mindful about what they consume.

         Whether it’s because of caffeine-related jitters, sleep issues, or just a desire to try something healthier, there’s been growing interest in coffee alternatives – drinks that stiff offer comfort or even a bit of energy, without the crash. And as someone curious about wellness trends, I decided to dive into this myself.

A Sip from Italy: Roasted Barley Tea

         I recently discovered a product called Ozlo, a roasted barley tea from Italy. It’s been around for a while but isn’t widely known in Korea yet. If you’ve ever had barley tea here, you’ll recognize that toasty, earthy flavor- but Ozlo takes it a step further. It has a deeper taste that surprisingly similar to a light Americano. No caffeine, no acidity-just warmth in a cup.

Café Sans

         Recently a place in Ikseon-dong has been grabbing the attention of the world. They brew their coffee alternative using a process inspired by whiskey distillation creating a flavor profile that’s said to be very close to actual coffee. There are only a handful coffee brands that serve this type of purpose for consumers and Café Sans has been shining light on their methods and taste. It’s a true coffee innovation.

So…Should you Try a Coffee Alternative?

         I’m not here to convince anyone to give up coffee. I still enjoy it and probably always will. But exploring alternatives made me realize how many options are out there-especially one that might be better for your body, and in some cases, even for the planet. What started as simple curiosity turned into a small but meaningful shift in how I think about my daily habits.

         Trying a coffee alternative doesn’t mean giving up your favorite drink forever. It just opens the door to a wider range of choices that might better suit your needs on certain days-whether that’s a calmer, jitter-free morning or a way to wind down in the afternoon without disrupting your sleep. Plus, discovering new flavors and rituals around these drinks can actually be fun.

         So if you’ve ever felt like your coffee habit might be doing more harm than good- or if you’re just curious, like I was – it’s worth giving one of these alternatives a try. You don’t have to go cold turkey or make it a big lifestyle change. Just start with a cup. Who know? You might stumble upon a new favorite that fits your life in a way coffee never quite did.