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Beverages, Coffee Substitute, Cereal Grain Beverage, Prepared With Water

A cereal grain beverage is a caffeine-free hot drink made by dissolving roasted and ground grains—typically barley, rye, chicory, malt, or a blend—in hot water. Common products include Postum, Cafix, Caro, and Bambu. When prepared at standard dilution, the density is 1.018 g/ml, slightly above water because of dissolved grain sugars and starch breakdown products. A prepared cup weighs approximately 241 g; a tablespoon weighs about 15.1 g. The density will vary slightly depending on concentration: a more diluted preparation will be closer to water (1.000 g/ml), while a stronger brew will be marginally denser. The USDA value reflects standard label preparation. For baking or recipe use, treat it as a slightly-denser-than-water liquid, interchangeable by weight with strong tea or diluted malt extract.

Serve as a hot caffeine-free coffee alternative. Can be used as a liquid component in dark bread, malted cake batters, or savory gravies where a mild, roasted grain flavor is desired.

Beverages

Sugary drinks and juices are significantly denser than plain water due to dissolved solids. Converting 'cups' to grams is the best way to accurately track sugar intake or mix precise cocktails and punches.

Storage & tools

• Refrigerate perishable foods within 2 hours (1 hour if above 90°F/32°C).
• Keep the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C) and the freezer at 0°F (-18°C).
• Cool hot foods in shallow containers so they chill faster and more safely.
• Use an appliance thermometer to verify fridge and freezer temperatures.

Sources: CDC · FDA

FAQ

What products does this entry cover?

This entry covers standard grain-based coffee substitutes prepared with water at the concentration specified on the label. This includes products like Postum (barley and wheat bran), Cafix (barley, chicory, and figs), Caro (barley, chicory, and malt), and similar roasted grain beverages. All are caffeine-free and prepared as a hot drink by dissolving in water.

How does the density compare to brewed coffee?

Very similar. Brewed regular coffee is approximately 0.997–1.005 g/ml—nearly water. Prepared grain beverages at 1.018 g/ml contain slightly more dissolved solids (grain sugars) than brewed coffee, making them marginally denser. The difference per cup is less than 5 g—negligible for any recipe purpose.

Does the concentration I use when preparing this beverage affect the gram weight?

Yes. The USDA value (1.018 g/ml) reflects preparation at the standard ratio specified on the product label. If you use more powder in less water, the density and gram weight per cup will increase. If you use less powder, it will be closer to pure water. For consistent recipe results, prepare at the standard dilution and use the gram values from this page.

All conversions for this ingredient

• Cup → g /en/convert/beverages_coffee_substitute_cereal_grain_beverage_prepared_with_water/cup-to-grams/
• g → Cups /en/convert/beverages_coffee_substitute_cereal_grain_beverage_prepared_with_water/grams-to-cups/
• Tbsp → g /en/convert/beverages_coffee_substitute_cereal_grain_beverage_prepared_with_water/tbsp-to-grams/
• Tsp → g /en/convert/beverages_coffee_substitute_cereal_grain_beverage_prepared_with_water/tsp-to-grams/
• mL → g /en/convert/beverages_coffee_substitute_cereal_grain_beverage_prepared_with_water/ml-to-grams/
• oz → g /en/convert/beverages_coffee_substitute_cereal_grain_beverage_prepared_with_water/oz-to-grams/