Muckefuck, i.e. substitute coffee, not only has many names, but also a long history. In any case, the taste should not be underestimated. We’ll tell you what it’s made of and how it’s made.

What is Muckefuck and what does it consist of?

The Muckefuck is a kind of substitute coffee that is very reminiscent of the original in terms of taste and colour. Since it is caffeine-free and can therefore also be drunk by children, it is often referred to as children’s coffee. Other names are country coffee, grain coffee, chicory coffee or malt coffee. The substitute coffee can be obtained from different foods: from dandelion, date kernels, figs and asparagus to corn kernels, potatoes and acorns. In most cases, however, cereals such as spelt, rye and barley are used as the main ingredients. There is also the chicory plant (also common/common chicory), a so-called composite plant that grows along the way. Chicory roots give the drink a slightly bitter note. As a result, the taste of the Muckefuck is reminiscent of that of a real coffee.

The origins of Muckefuck coffee

Muckefuck is not as old as normal coffee, which was probably drunk as early as the mid-15th century. But the Muckefuck is already a few years old. It is said that Friedrich II ordered the production of the substitute coffee when he drastically increased the coffee tariffs in the 18th century. Muckefuck gained importance especially during wartime, since there were hardly any opportunities to buy normal coffee. People became inventive because nobody wanted to give up the taste of coffee entirely.

Where does the word muck fuck come from?

There are two different theories as to the origin of the name Muckefuck: On the one hand, it could be derived from the French “mocca faux”, which means something like “wrong coffee”. It is also suspected that it is also composed of the Rhenish words “Mucke” for “brown wood mulch” or “brown dusty earth” and “fuck” from “lazy”. Both theories provide information about the special nature of the substitute coffee. That it is not real coffee, but tastes slightly like coffee due to the chicory ingredient and its color is reminiscent of brown earth.

Is the Muckefuck healthy?

The substitute coffee is currently experiencing a small revival, which could be due in particular to its healthy properties. Above all, the natural food movement relies on the biological origin of many Muckefuck coffees. Especially for coffee drinkers who want or have to do without caffeine, it is a good alternative in terms of taste.

The chicory plant is said to have a digestive and appetizing effect, as it contains bitter substances and inulin. In addition, it is particularly gentle on the stomach and intestines. The minerals and trace elements should also have a positive effect. Chicory was voted Medicinal Plant of the Year in 2020. Of course, if you are not making the coffee yourself, you always have to check how much of the plant is in the substitute coffee.

Recipe for making Muckefuck coffee

You can prepare a fresh Muckefuck in various ways. We will show you a variant of how you can make the substitute coffee yourself with just two ingredients and do without grain.

The basic ingredients:

dandelion root
chicory root

Step 1: Gather and chop

Dig up dandelion and chicory roots. Then tap the soil well and wash the roots. Cut them into small pieces.

Step 2: Dry in the oven

Dry the root pieces on a baking sheet in the oven at about 50 degrees for 90 minutes. Then increase the temperature to 225 degrees and roast the roots fat-free until they have some roasted aromas. Turn them occasionally.

Step 3: Grind and infuse

After the roasting process, allow the roots to cool. Grind them into a fine powder or pulp mixture. For a Muckefuck, put a teaspoon of the powder in a 200ml cup and pour hot water over the powder. Alternatively, you can first pour the powder into a filter and then pour it on to avoid any pieces.