FAQs

Dandy Blend is made of only 5 ingredients — extracts of barley, rye, dandelion, chicory and beet roots.

a. the ingredients are dried and roasted separately, each for their own prescribed time. Dandelion roots are roasted at around 230 degrees fahrenheit until they smell like a sweet coffee-hot chocolate mix.
b. all five are combined in the proper proportions, and placed in a hot water-filled vat.
c. they are allowed to steep for the prescribed period of time.
d. the water, with the soluble portions of all the ingredients, is drained from the grounds
e. The water portion is spray dried. The grounds, with all the water-insoluble substances, are discarded.
f. the powder that remains after the water is driven off is Dandy Blend.

It does not contain barley and rye. It contains the water extracts of barley and rye, and that is a big difference. Gluten and Gliadin proteins are not water soluble. That means that all gluten and gliadin are left behind in the grounds, and get thrown away (usually composted).

We test for gluten and gliaden using the ELIZA tests accepted by FDA and Health Canada, the results always show that there are less than 5 ppm of both in Dandy Blend. Standards in both countries are that 20 ppm or less is gluten-free.

A copy of the test results are posted under “Certification.”   Simply scroll down to bottom of the page.

All ingredients in Dandy Blend are sourced in Poland (EU), where no GMO crops are allowed. Therefore, everything is Non-GMO that goes into Dandy Blend. All new bags from early 2018 onward will carry the Non-GMO seal. If you get product produced earlier without such a seal, you can be assured that is also non-GMO.

All Dandy Blend is certified kosher by one of the US’ 5 top kosher certifiers, Kof-K. The seal is on the bottom front of all bags, and on the 25 single serving stick box. The certification does not appear on the individual sticks, but they also are kosher. Certified Organic Dandy Blend is also kosher.

Currently Certified Organic Dandy Blend is offered in 3.5 oz (100 g) bags.
Other sizes may soon be available and will appear on this website when they are. Organic Dandy Blend differs from regular Dandy Blend in that all ingredients are sourced from certified organic farmers. Taste and other qualities are the same. The light green Certified Organic stamp on the bottom left corner the Dandy Blend bags and box is the EU equivalent of the USDA Certified Organic stamp.

The barley and rye for regular Dandy Blend come from commercial growers. The roots in the regular version are supplied by medicinal herb growers who also maintain high standards, even though they aren’t certified.

Sugar beets, aren’t in the organic version because we couldn’t find them certified. They are included in the regular because they are a blood strengthener, not for flavor nor for sweetness.

There is .042 g (42 mg) of sugar in a 2 g serving. Most of it is fructose, derived from roasting the dandelion and chicory roots, making it ideal for a low sugar/carb diet.

There are no added sugars or sweeteners in Dandy Blend. Dandelion root and chicory root contain inulin, which is an indigestible starch for humans, but provides food for beneficial intestinal bacteria. Chemically, it is nothing more than a bunch of fructose molecules held together by simple bonds that can be broken by either freezing or roasting.

The sweetness in Dandy Blend comes primarily from roasting dandelion roots long enough at around 230 Degrees until a sweet coffee-chocolate smell comes from the oven, which is what it takes to break down the inulin completely and release all the fructose. Chicory roots are roasted long enough to release about 60% of the fructose, leaving about 40% to feed the bacteria. Fructose is a good sugar as long as you don’t get too much of it. It has a low glycemic index, primarily because it is stored in the liver and converted slowly to glucose to be released into the blood stream and used by the body.

According to tests done by Chemical Solutions Ltd., Dandy Blend contains the following minerals on a single serving basis (1 Teaspoon):

(Minerals as listed)

Major Minerals:
Potassium 22.2 mg
Sodium 3.2 mg
Phosphorus 2.8 mg
Magnesium 2.0 mg
Calcium 2.1 mg
Iron 0.9 mg
Aluminum 0.05mg
Manganese 0.03

Trace Minerals:
Rubidium 12.0 mcg
Zinc 8.6 mcg
Barium 6.0 mcg
Boron 4.0 mcg
Copper 1.6 mcg
Strontium 2.0 mcg
Chromium 2.0 mcg
Titanium 2.0 mcg

Trace Minerals that are present but below measurable levels are:
Lithium, Nickel, Germanium, Selenium, Zirconium, Molybdenum, Rhodium, Silver, Indium, Antimony, Cesium, Lanthanium, Prascodymium, Promethium, Europium, Beryllium, Scandium, Vanadium, Cobalt, Gailium, Arsenic, Strontium, Yitrium, Niobium, Ruthenium, Palladium, Cadmium, Tin, Tellurium, Cerium, Neodymium, Samarium, Gadolinium, Terbium, Holmium, Thulium, Lutetium, Tantalium, Iridium, Gold, Rhenium, Thallium, Bismuth, Uranium, Dysprosium, Erbium, Ytterbium, Hafnium, Tungsten, Osmium, Platinum, Mercury, Lead, and Thorium.

The environment has all trace minerals in it, in their normal very tiny quantities. That includes lead, mercury, arsenic and all the others that are harmful in large quantities, but may even be required in metabolic processes in infinitesimal amounts. You will notice that lead, arsenic and mercury were present in such small quantities that they couldn’t be measured by the instruments being used. That means all the technician could see was that they were there, but they were in too small quantities to be measured by the best available technology at the time. It is not a factor to be worried about. I’d be more concerned if they WEREN’T there, quite frankly.

It is important to realize that this is totally normal. The trace minerals that are found in Dandy Blend are the same as any other farmed food. Because our ingredients come from medicinal farms we are guaranteed the highest quality.

Three things are important here.

1. all these substances occur naturally in the environment. Arsenic, in fact, is one of the most common substances in the world, and is present in some amount in all soil and water, as well as crops.
2. the technology for testing chemicals is still limited. Every test instrument can only determine concentrations down to a certain level (i.e. 3 or 5 parts per million (ppm) or 2 or 3 micrograms.) Beyond that, they can see that it is there, but can’t tell how much. Suffice it to say that the amounts below the limits of determination are very, very small..

3. You must remember that you use only 2 to 4 grams of powder in each cup of Dandy Blend.

The environment has all trace minerals in it, normally in very small quantities. Topsoils continually used to farm commercial crops may be depleted of these, and the only plants that will have access to them are those with long root systems which can mine the subsoils, like dandelions. Many trace minerals are needed by plants and animals for specific metabolic processes, which is why truly organic soils grow the best crops, and animals and people eating those crops are the most healthy. USDA Organic standards do not guarantee that crops are grown in such soils, which is why not all products bearing the USDA Certified Organic designation are the same. The best foods are bought directly from farmers certified organic by their state certifying agency.

You will notice that lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and others were present in too small a quantity to be measured by the limits of current technology. None of them are factors to be worried about. If the plant would benefit from them, it will have enough for its needs. The ones that aren’t needed will do neither the plant, nor people, any harm.

The benefit of having all those trace minerals is that the human body gets its needs satisfied, giving more energy and less hunger, making caffeine unnecessary.

The naturally occurring trace minerals in dandelion root can support adrenal functions that provide energy. Enough people have reported that Dandy Blend gives them so much energy that they can’t get to sleep if they drink it before bedtime. That is why the warning is included on the package label. You need to try it for yourself to see how it affects you.

Oxalates — There is less than 2 ppm of oxalates in Dandy Blend , which is too low to be measured precisely by available technology. However, at approximately 3 grams of powder per serving, there is only about 0.1 gram of beet root extract, the source of the oxalates, per cup, making oxalates on a per cup basis almost nonexistent.

Acrylamide’s – Dandy Blend contains only 1.7-3.5 micrograms/cup, which is roughly 1/2 to 2/3 less than coffee. To keep acrylamide under control, we roast dandelion roots at around 230 degrees fahrenheit.

Fluoride – Analyses of Dandy Blend do not show a significant presence of fluoride.

Tannins – The type of tannin present in barley is water soluble. Tannins are also present in the rye, dandelion and chicory root fractions of the blend. Because of the small concentration of Tannins in Dandy Blend, it is not likely to cause a problem.

All of the inulin in the dandelion root, but only 40% of the inulin in the chicory root , is converted to fructose. This gives Dandy Blend its sweetness while retaining fiber and prebiotic properties in the beverage which comes from the inulin.

For the purposes of Dandy Blend’s benefits, not at all. You drink dandelion or chicory root beverages for the minerals and bioactive substances which are released from the cells by the breaking down of the very tough cell walls in the woody roots, not for the vitamins or enzymes, some of which are destroyed by the heat. Both roasting and freezing break the cell walls, but roasting is the way herbalists in both the East and West have done this for centuries.

The pH of Dandy Blend, according to the Certificate of Analysis we receive from the manufacturer, is between 4.5 and 5.5. However , the combination of ingredients interact in such a way to have a neutralizing effect on the body, as is seen in its ability to rapidly alleviate the symptoms of acid reflux. Drinking Dandy Blend is Alkalizing to the body.

Serving size for the bags is a flat tsp.(2 grams) per 6 oz; each stick contains 2.8 gram (a rounded tsp.)for an 8 oz cup.

It does not contain wheat or fruit, nor is there a possibility of cross-contamination with any of the above allergens. The factory that produces Dandy Blend produces nothing containing any kind of nut. The barley is simply extracted with water, producing no malt.

The ingredients in Dandy Blend contain so many health-promoting properties that whatever the body needs seems to be there when it is needed. To find out what these properties are, Google “dandelion”, “chicory”, “barley”, “rye”, and “beets”.

Dandy Blend is practically the only instant coffee alternative containing dandelion in the USA.. Without dandelion root, Dandy Blend would have no more health benefits than any other coffee substitute. FDA doesn’t allow us to enumerate them, but if you will Google “health benefits of” each of the ingredients, you will find out for yourself why we have chosen to include the ingredients that we have. Dandelion root extract, however, is a very expensive ingredient, but we do what we can to keep the price affordable so everyone can benefit from it.

The truth is, from a health standpoint, Dandy Blend is worth much more than you pay for it. The 2 lb bag is your best value.

Yes. Roasted Dandelion root beverages are the beverage of choice for women in Japan during pregnancy and lactation. During pregnancy, it purifies the blood. During breastfeeding, it increases lactation. (See Nikki Trainor’s comments in the Testimonial section of this website).

There are some warnings about chicory root in pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, but problems are extremely rare. Chicory overall is a safe and very beneficial herb, especially in moderation. When you drink Dandy Blend, you are getting only a small amount of chicory. To be safe, you should check with your health practitioner.

It is good for children of all ages.

Yes. Dandy Blend is used by a number of veterinarians and livestock animal feed producers to improve the health of those animals. It is , for example, included in a dairy calf starter feed by one company. A number of our other customers give it to their dogs. It won’t hurt them , and you may end up with a very happy and healthy pet.

Nothing is wrong with fructose– what is wrong is the quantity of cheap high fructose corn syrup flooding the market. It is in everything, and the body can’t process it, so it becomes toxic to us.

In the early part of the 20th century , fructose was commercially extracted from dandelion and chicory root. When you wanted fructose, you would go to the pharmacy and buy a small quantity of it.

Fructose in corn is a cheaper and more easily extracted form. It is so cheap that manufacturers can buy it for less than sugar and they put it into everything. Soon our bodies become overloaded with fructose, the liver can no longer handle the quantity, and it becomes more toxic than glucose. Another problem with high fructose corn syrup is that it contains sucrose as well, which converts to glucose.

Fructose is a very good sugar. It is what defines low glycemic, with sucrose setting the standard for high glycemic. When glucose enters the body it goes rapidly to the bloodstream and raises blood sugar, putting a strain on the body’s insulin. Fructose, by contrast, goes to the liver, where it is gradually converted to glucose and fed into the bloodstream gradually –basically like a time released pill.

It depends on exactly what you are allergic to. There are no dandelion greens or flowers in Dandy Blend, but some of the same components existing in the pollen may also be present in the water-soluble fraction of the roots. If you wish, try a sample on us, and/or check with your medical professional.

Sugars produced by the dandelion leaves is stored in the roots as the starch inulin (not insulin), which is just a bunch of fructose molecules tied together by fragile chemical bonds. Roasting breaks these bonds, releasing the fructose. Fructose masks the bitterness of both dandelion and chicory, making the beverage more palatable. Fructose from chicory and dandelion is practically the only sweetener in Dandy Blend. If you don’t add any additional sweetener on your own it, makes it the perfect low sugar beverage.

No. Vitamin K is a component of dark, leafy green vegetables. No greens are used in making Dandy Blend.

I don’t think you can get any more vegan. There is nothing in Dandy Blend but water extracts of barley and rye grains and the roots of dandelion, chicory and beets. No animal products come anywhere near it.

Dandelion root has the reputation of relieving digestive distress (acid reflux, gas, and so on). if a person has eaten foods that cause them excess gas, Dandy Blend might have that effect.

Yes. Our distributors in Canada are Raw Elements (www.rawelements.ca) and Upaya
Natural Foods (www.upaya.ca). Please contact them directly. Their packaging and marketing information conforms the the rules of Health Canada.

International customers can order from iherb.com. Their prices are good, and they give the best overseas shipping rates. Visit www.iherb.com/c/dandy-blend

The average cup of coffee brewed at home costs $0.27 at today’s prices. Regular Dandy Blend costs between $0.11 and $0.18,/cup depending on the size bag that you buy. Organic Dandy Blend costs about the same as coffee. If you are going to drink coffee anyway, you’ll save money drinking Dandy Blend and be a lot healthier.

Buy it at one of the retail stores that carry Dandy Blend, (click on “store locator” ) or check with our online retailers.

If you buy a whole case of one size, shipping is free. It’s a good chance to get your family, friends and neighbors involved. Split a case of 6 with them.

Samples are available on the shop tab, we charge $1.oo for two singles.

The common experience is to just to change over from one to the other. The switch should be seamless, with no withdrawal symptoms. It’s like going from Folgers or Maxwell House to Sanka.
If you wish, you may mix coffee and Dandy Blend in equal proportions at first and gradually increase the proportion of Dandy Blend until coffee is completely eliminated, or drink coffee in the morning and Dandy Blend the rest of the day. Most people don’t find this necessary.

There are no limits on what you can have. If you drink 10 cups of coffee, you can drink 10 cups of Dandy Blend, and be much healthier because of it. Most people drink between 1 and 3 cups a day.

There is no need to use a percolator or a K-cup. It dissolves instantly in any hot or cold liquid. Just put a rounded teaspoon of the powder in the liquid and stir.

It is not necessary. We recommend that you keep it tightly sealed in a cool, dry location. Moisture of any kind, such as from humidity, will very rapidly make it as hard as a brick. If you are in a hot, high humidity area, you will need to take extra precautions to protect it, which might include putting it in the refrigerator or freezer. It should always be a smooth flowing, loose brown powder. We offer Snapware for those who prefer to use a container with a moister prove seal.

With extracts, there is nothing to go rancid or oxidize, so the shelf life could be unlimited as long as storage conditions are cool and dry.

Dandy Blend has been on the market for over 25 years (2017). We have saved samples of the earliest packages, and periodically test them. They are still the same as they were–a loose, brown powder with no color or consistency change–and taste the same as they did when new..

If, however, Dandy Blend is exposed to humidity or other moisture, it will harden to the consistency of a brick. It is still usable if you break off a piece and boil it for a while in water, but the flavor is not as good.