Looking for a caffeine free beverage with a similar taste to coffee yet contains not a single coffee bean? You may be surprised to learn that for over 50 years there has been a healthy choice available in the marketplace.

Many years ago in 1895, CW Post created an instant caffeine free yeast which named after Postum. For many years it was a staple in nearly all US supermarkets nationwide. Then in late 2007, without notice, the manufacturer discontinued the production of this product. By January of 2008, a product that had developed a dedicated following was suddenly gone from the shelves. The disappearance of Postum disappointed many who had been enjoying this product on a daily basis.

Coffee substitutes or alternatives are severely new. First developed in Europe during the war due to a scarcity of coffee, they became very popular with the entire family. Not only could adults enjoy the coffee- like flavor, but children could also share in the morning ritual of a warm cup of this herbal beverage. Over the years coffee substitutes have been used for medicinal, religious and other purposes. Not only are these products naturally caffeine free, but they offer a healthy and delicious alternative to anyone needing to avoid the caffeine or decaffeination process associated with real coffee beans.

According to available research, coffee substitutes are typically produced by roasting grain with ingredients including almond, acorn, asparagus, barley, barley malt, beech nut, beetroot, carrot, chicory root, corn, cotton seed, dandelion root, fig, boiled-down molasses, okra seed, pea, persimmon seed, potato peel, rye, sassafras nut and sweet potato! Postum was one such coffee substitute made of roasted wheat bran, wheat molasses and corn dextrin.

While there are several alternatives available, one of the best choices is Pero all natural caffeine free instant beverage. Some coffee substitutes are made from a combination of herbal ingredients that still need to be brewed or steeped like coffee. Pero is an instant product just like Postum. However, unlike Postum, Pero is made from a simple recipe of all natural malted barley, barley, and chicory. The main flavor difference between the Pero and Postum brands lies in the wheat molasses. This ingredient gave Postum a slightly sweeter taste than Pero. This can be easily addressed by adding a little sweetener of your own. Although Pero does not contain wheat products, it can not be considered gluten free since the barley in the ingredients is a source of gluten. Other similar instant products include the brands Cafix and Caf-Lib, but grain for grain, Pero is one of the best coffee substitutes available.

If you are looking for a new coffee substitute or just looking for a change, Pero coffee substitute is a great choice for a perfect break from coffee.