Chicory Coffee
Coffee substitutes: chicory root coffee
What is chicory coffee and how to make it
Many coffee lovers try to reduce their caffeine intake and chicory coffee is the closest tasting herbal alternative to coffee. If you want to find out more about this coffee substitute, in this article we describe how chicory coffee tastes as well as what are the health benefits and side effects of chicory coffee. Here you can also find out how to brew chicory coffee at home and where to buy roasted chicory root.
What is chicory coffee?
Chicory coffee is a caffeine-free coffee substitute made from the root of the chicory plant. For chicory coffee brewing we use roasted roots of the plant.
Most often you can come across coffee blended with chicory, it’s more popular than a drink made purely from roasted chicory.
How to use chicory?
You can add roasted chicory root to your coffee or brew it on its own to make a caffeine-free coffee alternative beverage. Roasted chicory has a taste similar to coffee, so it’s a great coffee alternative, if you are trying to stay away from caffeine. Roasted chicory powder can also be added to coffee to enrich its roasty flavors.
Now, let’s talk about the chicory plant.
What is chicory?
Chicory is a wild-growing plant from a dandelion family. What’s interesting, the entire plant is edible – you can eat flowers, leaves and roots.
Where does chicory grow?
Chicory plant grows in western Asia, North Africa, and Europe. It’s a wild plant with blue flowers and you can often come across this plant on roadsides.
How does chicory coffee taste?
Chicory coffee has a similar taste to coffee, but it’s not so similar to mistake it for real coffee. It has a sweet, slightly earthy and bitter taste as well as smokey, woody, nutty and herbal flavors. Roasted chicory root has a taste similar to over roasted coffee.
Is chicory in coffee good or bad?
Well, some coffee drinkers love it, others hate it. As with everything related to taste, you need to try it for yourself and see if you like it. It certainly has some health benefits and we will talk about them later.
Does chicory contain caffeine?
No, pure chicory does not contain caffeine. However a blend of coffee and chicory does contain caffeine, although less than regular coffee.
Is chicory coffee good for you?
Chicory coffee is associated with several health benefits but it may also have some side effects.
What are the health benefits of chicory in coffee?
Let’s look into more details.
Chicory coffee health benefits
11 reasons why chicory coffee is healthy
Chicory has some medicinal qualities, they include:
- It’s caffeine free, which makes it a good way to reduce caffeine intake
- Lowering blood sugar
- Lowering cholesterol
- Contains inulin, a probiotic which improves gut health and promotes weight loss
- Aids indigestion
- Has a mild laxative effect which can help relieve constipation
- It’s a source of vitamins: B6, C calcium, potassium, manganese, phosphorous
- It’s a source of fiber
- Has anti-inflammatory properties
- Reduces oxidative stress inside the liver
- Helps to regulate appetite (decreases the levels of ghrelin – the hunger hormone) and increases the levels of hormones which make you feel full after a meal
Are there any cons against chicory as a coffee substitute?
Chicory Coffee Side Effects
6 side effects chicory coffee may cause
Chicory is safe for most people, but may have negative effects on some, they include:
- Allergic reactions, especially in those allergic to bee pollen
- Skin irritation (while handling)
- May trigger asthma symptoms
- Not recommended for pregnant women
- May cause bloating
- Too much inulin might lead to stomach cramping, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea and other digestive distress
Can I drink chicory coffee everyday?
Yes, you can drink chicory coffee everyday, but in moderation. Most people can tolerate up to 20 grams (two cups) per day.
How to make chicory coffee
If you want to make chicory coffee from scratch, starting from collecting the root, you can certainly do that! You will need to go through these four stages:
- Drying
- Roasting
- Grinding
- Brewing
The process is actually similar to coffee production.
How to collect chicory?
Although it’s easy to find chicory along the roads, it’s not the best place to get it from. Those plants are contaminated with heavy metals and may be harmful to your health. So first of all, find plants growing away from pollution.
Once you’ve found them, you’ll need to dig up the roots, scrub and wash them.
How to roast chicory root?
When they are clean, cut them up into pieces and air dry before roasting.
You can roast chicory root in a regular kitchen oven at 300 ℉ (150 ℃) for 1.5 hours. Depending on the moisture content in the plant, it may take longer than that. It’s ready when it’s crispy and has a toasted color. During the roasting inulin in the plant gets caramelised giving it the sweet taste, so you want to roast it long enough to bring the sweetness out.
When to collect chicory for coffee?
Fall is the best time to collect the chicory root.
If you prefer to buy ready chicory root, you can get it in four different forms:
- granules
- ground like coffee
- in powder
- in a blend with coffee
Using chicory granules and powder
You can brew the granules in the same way as you use coffee beans for brewing coffee. If you go for loose chicory powder, you can use it like instant coffee.
Where to buy chicory coffee?
You can buy chicory coffee online on Amazon or eBay as well as at Walmart and other retailers.
Now, let’s talk about brewing chicory root coffee.
Chicory coffee recipe
Here is how to make a milky chicory drink without coffee.
Chicory coffee cinnamon latte recipe
To make chicory latte you will need:
- roasted chicory granules
- milk
- cinnamon
How to make chicory coffee step-by-step
For chicory coffee brewing you can use French press, percolator, pour over maker, espresso machine or any other coffee maker. Chicory can be also used for cold brew and basically brewed just like coffee.
Here is how to make chicory coffee with French press
- Use 2 tablespoons of chicory coffee per cup
- Grind the chicory granules medium
- Steep for 7 – 10 minutes in hot water
- Pour the brew to a warmed up cup
- Add steamed milk
- Sprinkle cinnamon on top
If you want to add more flavor to your chicory coffee, you can also add nutmeg, cloves, maple syrup or other spices according to your liking.
Chicory coffee brands
If you want to try out chicory root coffee, here are some most popular chicory coffee brands to make your search easier:
- Cafe du Monde chicory coffee – a blend of coffee and chicory
- Farmasi chicory coffee
- Nutriplus chicory coffee
- French Market – coffee with chicory
Chicory root coffee FAQs answered
Does chicory give you energy?
No, chicory on its own doesn’t give you as much an energy boost as coffee does. However, some people report that it improves their focus, mood, and cognitive function.
Is chicory coffee more acidic or less than regular coffee?
Chicory coffee is less acidic than regular coffee, so it’s easier on the stomach. However, it leads to higher gas production in the stomach, so it may upset the stomach due to higher levels of gases.
Can I add milk to chicory coffee?
Yes! Chicory coffee tastes great with added milk or sugar, just like coffee.
Can I grind chicory in a coffee grinder?
Yes, you can grind chicory in a regular coffee grinder.
Chicory root coffee to buy online
Chicory to add to coffee
Instant chicory coffee
Coffee pods with chicory
Have you tried chicory coffee? Do you like it? Share in the comments below!
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