Swedish coffee

Astragalus boeticus

infusion

Seeds roasted and ground like coffee, a substitute drunk in northern Europe when coffee was scarce.

Origin

Mediterranean, grown in Sweden in the 19th century

Where to find it

Nobody drinks it any more; it still grows on dry waste ground and roadsides in southern Spain, Portugal and North Africa.

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

The ripe, dry seeds are roasted in a pan until brown, ground, then brewed like coffee.

Did you know?

It grows wild around the Mediterranean, but takes its name from the Swedes who grew it for this mock coffee.