Coffee substitute is a term used to describe an alternative to coffee, which can be used as a beverage or for cooking. Two common coffee substitutes are CHICORY and postum. CHICORY is a plant that is roasted and ground into a powder, which can be brewed like coffee. Postum is a caffeine-free beverage made from wheat bran, molasses, and other ingredients. Both CHICORY and postum provide a coffee-like flavor without the caffeine.