With an object of providing a coffee substitute imparted with the distinctive coffee flavor and taste while also having a reduced amount of component such as caffeine, which is included as a main component of coffee but sometimes undesirable for reasons of physiological activity and health, the present invention solves the object by producing a coffee substitute by subjecting a raw material composition formed by combining an amino acid, chlorogenic acid and sugar to a roasting process. More specifically, the present invention produces a product having the taste of coffee by Maillard reaction of a sugar and amino acids in the presence of a chlorogenic acid. Since caffeine is not included in the product, foods and drinks produced using this product consequently have a coffee-like taste without including caffeine, thereby achieving foods and drinks for consumers to enjoy the coffee flavor without ingesting caffeine.
