Dandelion Date Shake

By Sarah Kate Benjamin of The Kosmic Kitchen

If you've never had a date shake you're in for a real Southern California treat. Invented in the 1930's by a date farmer, you'll find date shake spots sprinkled throughout the deserts of Coachella Valley and Palm Springs where most US date palms are grown.

While the classic date shake is made with ice cream and milk, this Dandelion Date Shake recipe has a fun herbal twist, without all of the added sugar. The base of our shake will be Traditional Medicinals Organic Roasted Dandelion Root tea to give a rich coffee-like flavor that compliments the natural sweetness from the dates.

When most people think of dandelions, a pernicious garden weed likely comes to mind. However, if you ask an herbalist about dandelions they'll start waxing poetic about the many benefits of this humble healer. A prolific and cheerful herb often found in the spring and summer seasons, dandelion is a sight for sore eyes after a long cold winter. It's usually one of the first spring greens to make its way through the damp soil at the first sign of a sunny day.

It's a nostalgic herb you likely enjoyed making a wish with as a kid and I've even heard dandelions referred to as the “sun, moon, and stars.” The Sun is their yellow aster flower, the moon is the round stem after the seeds are blown away, and the stars are the fluffy white seeds floating on the wind. While the greens are edible and delicious in their own right, the roots offer their own rich herbal medicine.

Earthy, complex, and bitter dandelion roots have an affinity to the digestive system and liver helping to support the body's natural detoxification pathways.* They're especially great at helping to shake off that sluggish feeling during the transition from winter to spring.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy dandelion root is Roasted Dandelion Root tea. Its robust bittersweet flavor and deep brown color is reminiscent of coffee, making it a lovely caffeine-free morning ritual. Its leaves and root also contain natural compounds that support the function of the liver and kidneys.* So, if you're looking for a more grounded and nourishing start to your day, brew up a cup.

This Dandelion Date Shake is packed with healthy fats like coconut cream and almond butter and a pinch of aromatic cardamom. If you're feeling fancy, top with your favorite edible flowers like dried rose petals for an extra special treat on a warm spring day.