Orzo coffee substitute, a toasted barley drink, is such a delicious beverage, you won’t mind skipping your coffee. Toast and orzo is a typical Italian breakfast combination which is perfect for children and babies. If you’re looking for a caffeine-free, no sugar alternative to coffee, why not try Caffè d’Orzo?
Originally published November 5, 2012.
Most of you know “orzo” as the rice shaped pastina which is cooked in soups or made as a pilaf, for example.
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However, orzo, in Italian, means barley, and the type of orzo I’m going to tell you about is a caffeine-free barley drink, which is very popular in Italy. My children grew up having toast and orzo for breakfast. The photo you see above is my breakfast from a few days ago (adult version of toast and orzo). You’ll see the children’s version below.
You may like this toast for breakfast, too!
Nestle’s brand of orzo drinks are called “Orzoro” and come in different grinds and flavors (there’s an orzo and cacao blend, which I also love, but cannot find in the US). If you like, you can mix a little cocoa with the orzo coffee substitute and achieve the same result.
You could probably guess that this is one of the items I stock up on when I go to Italy because it’s very light to pack in my suitcase!
This is another brand of Orzo I buy; this “solubile” can be made easily in a pot or cup as it melts easily. However there is another type, “tostato, macinato” (toasted, ground) which can be made in an espresso coffee maker. These products have no added sugar: the only ingredient is barley.
Orzo coffee substitute is much like coffee, but milder, and caffeine-free, making it a perfect beverage for children and those who want a coffee alternative. I don’t usually drink coffee (my aunt says this makes me “un-Italian”), but I love orzo. One place to look for orzo products would be in your local Italian market, however, Amazon does sell it too.
How to Make Toast and Orzo Coffee Substitute
Ingredients
- orzo barley powder
- milk (or water)
- sugar (optional)
- (toast-optional)
With the “solubile” type of Orzo, there’s no need to premix and add to the milk or water, you can just add it directly to the cup full of liquid (like instant coffee), but if you don’t have “solubile”, you’ll want to make it the way I show below.
Heat the desired amount of milk in a small pot. When the milk is beginning to get hot, add the orzo and whisk well.
Continue to stir over medium high heat until mixed well. Add sugar to taste, if desired. I like about 1/2 teaspoon of sugar in mine.
Serve hot in a cup or mug, or if making breakfast for a child, break up pieces of toasted bread into a bowl. Next, pour the orzo over it.
Serve orzo coffee substitute immediately, or for a very young child, let cool slightly. Enjoy!
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Orzo (Coffee Substitute Barley Drink) and Toast and Orzo (for Children and Babies)
An Italian barley beverage which is a coffee substitute which tastes really good!
Ingredients
- 1 tsp orzo barley powder
- 8 oz milk (or water)
- sugar (optional)
- (toast-optional)
Instructions
- With the "solubile" type of Orzo, there's no need to premix and add to the milk or water, you can just add it directly to the cup full of liquid (like instant coffee), but if you don't have "solubile", you'll want to make it the way I show below.
- Heat the desired amount of milk in a small pot.
- Meanwhile, mix 2 to 3 teaspoons of orzo powder per cupful of milk (or water) with just enough liquid to form a runny mixture.
- When the milk is hot, add the orzo mixture and stir well.
- Continue to stir over medium high heat until mixed well. Add sugar to taste, if desired. I like a little bit of sugar in mine.
- Serve hot in a cup or mug, or if making breakfast for a child, break up pieces of toasted bread into a bowl and pour the orzo over it.
Notes
Nutrition info is for 8 oz whole milk, 1/2 tsp of sugar and no toast.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1 cupAmount Per Serving:Calories: 176Total Fat: 8gCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 9g
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orzo coffee alternative
As a kid born and raised in southern Virginia, I grew up on a product called Postum. This is what they gave kids in lieu of coffee. Apparently they stopped making Postum years ago. Then I got stationed in Italy during my military career and discovered Orzo. I wasn’t sure what it was but once I made it I realized this was almost like Postum. I ordered a huge batch of it this past summer. The online store I ordered it from has been out of stock for some time now. Amazon’s prices are nosebleed high. I did find one other Italian online market that the price is reasonable and I plan to order some more. I love this stuff. Also love your site.
[…] During my first week in Italy, I got the chance to taste many new foods and beverages, such as bruschetta, gelato, and different varieties of espresso coffee. The best coffee that I have tried so far is called Caffè d’orzo, which is caffeine free and made from organic ground roasted barley. https://www.christinascucina.com/orzo-coffee-substitute-barley-drink/ […]
[…] a comfort food to remember the flavor from when you’re a child.” While Conte prefers her orzo made with milk and sugar, she said her mother enjoys it “the more adult way,” made with water and less sugar. You can […]
[…] a comfort food to remember the flavor from when you’re a child.” While Conte prefers her orzo made with milk and sugar, she said her mother enjoys it “the more adult way,” made with water and less sugar. You can […]
[…] a comfort food to remember the flavor from when you’re a child.” While Conte prefers her orzo made with milk and sugar, she said her mother enjoys it “the more adult way,” made with water and less sugar. You can […]
[…] a comfort food to remember the flavor from when you’re a child.” While Conte prefers her orzo made with milk and sugar, she said her mother enjoys it “the more adult way,” made with water and less sugar. You can […]
[…] a comfort food to remember the flavor from when you’re a child.” While Conte prefers her orzo made with milk and sugar, she said her mother enjoys it “the more adult way,” made with water and less sugar. You can […]
[…] a comfort food to remember the flavor from when you’re a child.” While Conte prefers her orzo made with milk and sugar, she said her mother enjoys it “the more adult way,” made with water and less sugar. You can […]
What a brilliant article this is! Really phenomenal idea. I’ll love to follow you. Thanks a lot. Keep going.
Thanks, Kerry!
As a caffeine addict who doesn’t fully wake up until I finish my second cup of coffee, I never got hooked on Orzo. But you’re so right, it has a lovely mild flavor. Nice alternative to a hot chocolate on a chilly afternoon by the fire..
Of course, that’s why this is perfect for children, too. I do love its flavor! :)
First of all, that looks absolutely delicious. Second, the reason I drink coffee, and I think most people too, is for that pick me up that comes with the effects of caffeine. Does the Orzo have anything that compensates for the lack of caffeine? Or is it like a placebo effect and fools the body? Also, does it taste like coffee or something else entirely?
Doesn’t taste like coffee, and some people don’t want caffeine. Probably not for you if you want caffeine :)
This is where I get really picky! I only drink hot cocoa and occasionally hto chocolate. Never have ever tried coffee or tea!
This isn’t coffee OR tea! I think you should try it! ;)
I’ve never tried this before! Looks like a tasty beverage. xo
Never heard of this barley drink and not seen it around Paris but I’m sure I just haven’t been looking. Now I’m sure I’ll see it!
You’ll definitely find it in Italian shops, Jill. I bet you’d like it!
Interesting, I have never hear of this barley drink. I will have to check it out.
Come over and I’ll make you a cup!
[…] Orzo, an Italian barley beverage. […]
My breakfast for most of my childhood and teen years was a bowl of coffee with arrowroot biscuits or dry toast when their were no biscuits. Had this from the time I was a baby! Sunday breakfast was Zablionne with dry toast. This was because I lived my early years with my Nonna, Nonno and Zia. My background is similar to yours Scotch (father) and Italian (mother).
Isn’t it wonderful that we all have memories from our childhood regarding food and drink? Scottish Italian backgrounds are the BEST! :) FYI, you don’t want to say that your father was Scotch (that’s the drink) :) He’s Scottish, or a Scot. CC