The Benefits Of Chicory Coffee
Heres a quick rundown of the benefits of chicory coffee:
- Helps to temper the impact of caffeine in coffee great if you want to slowly cut down on caffeine
- Its cheaper, and you need less of it as the flavor is strong
- High insulin levels help to aid calcium absorption
- It contains some of your daily vitamin and mineral requirements, including potassium, vitamin A, C, and B6, protein, calcium, and magnesium
- Chicory can contain fiber depending on the preparation technique
How To Make Chicory Coffee
Since chicory is more soluble in water than coffee grounds, you can use less when brewing it compared to traditional coffee.
To start, try about 2/3 regular ground coffee and 1/3 chicory and see how you like the flavor and caffeine content. You can brew this just like you would normally, in a French press, drip coffee maker, pour-over filter coffee-style, or otherwise. For a flavor boost, add a dash of warm spice such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or pumpkin pie spice.
Try this method to if you’re interested in trying a completely caffeine-free, all-chicory drink:
Here’s What Chicory Is And Why It’s In Your Coffee
If you’ve ever had the experience of drinking chicory coffee , you might’ve had to wonder just exactly what chicory even is. For the record, chicory is this pretty flowering plant.
But underneath the plant is its root, and that’s the stuff that we’re going to talk about today. The root is what gets roasted and ground to be brewed with coffee in some parts of the world. This is what that root looks like:
But how and why does this stuff end up in our coffee? It’s all rooted in world history, a little bit of tradition and a whole lot of politics and economic hardships. For most of our coffee-drinking past, the addictive caffeinated beverage has been expensive. There weren’t always Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts competing on every street corner. Sometimes coffee was scarce — especially if a major port was blocked for political reasons.
No one is sure exactly when people began mixing chicory with coffee, but according to Antony Wild , the use of chicory became popular in France during Napoleon’s ‘Continental Blockade’ Of 1808, which resulted in a major coffee shortage. Chicory is native to France, where it has long been loved for culinary reasons so it’s only natural that’s where the story began.
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Helps The Digestive System
Well explore more about chicory root and inulin later in this article, but one of its many benefits is relieving constipation. In elderly people, especially, just 15 grams of inulin per day can relieve constipation on a regular basis, relieve gastrointestinal discomfort, and stop bloating. As a naturally high-fiber food, it can also help remedy irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, and gas.
Coffee Substitutes With Caffeine
There are two essential reasons to look for a drink to replace coffee in order to wake up full of energy. Because we dont have coffee on hand or because we cant drink caffeine for health reasons.
In this first section, we will look at some of the products that can replace and complement coffee with caffeine. If you need your usual dose of caffeine in the morning or some other type of stimulant, take note of these:
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Luzianne Premium Blend Coffee & Chicory
This Chicory Coffee blend by Luzianne is made with special blend of the finest coffee beans with a special touch of chicory. It is made with 100% Arabica Beans, and is certified Kosher by the Orthodox Union.
One user said that it has a smooth coffee flavor. Another user called the coffee delicious, and said that this coffee stays fresh and flavorful till the end. Another user added that this is the best coffee anyone can buy.
Although one user also added that they did love this coffee, but the quality is seemingly deteriorating over time.
New Orleans Roast Pure French Chicory
This coffee has been popular in New Orleans since the Civil War days when coffee was in short supply. It is still very popular in the region, thanks to its delicious taste and can help satisfy people who are looking for a caffeine-free alternative to coffee that actually tastes good.
One user said that this is a must have coffee for them every morning. They added that they started consuming it without knowing the health benefits of chicory, and when they found out, they now sometimes consume two cups a day rather than one. They also added that they tried different brands but always kept coming back to this one.
Most people had similar views about the coffee, saying that it tastes delicious and is a strong coffee with a smooth taste.
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Chicory Coffee Brands To Consider
There are several brands of chicory coffee that are available out of the New Orleans area. You can find many of the following brands on grocery store shelves around the world, not just in the city itself. If you are interested in the taste of coffee blended with chicory root, check out some of the pre-made blends that come directly from the city itself.
Cafe Du Monde Coffee and Chicory
Cafe Du Monde first got its start as an open-air specialty coffee shop on Decatur street in the heart of the french quarter. Fast forward to today, and they not only have multiple locations in New Orleans, but they also have their products on the shelves of grocery stores around the world. For a rich, original blend of coffee and ground chicory root, Cafe Du Monde is an excellent choice.
French Market Coffee and Chicory
French Market coffee started out with a medium roast that earned a reputation for being one of the tastiest coffee and chicory blends on the market. Recently, they have expanded their offerings, in a new marketing move in which they expanded from the single medium roast red original can of coffee and chicory, to a whole line of bagged coffee, including a new dark roast, a French roast, and several other flavored options, including hazelnut and French vanilla, as well as their original medium roast chicory and coffee blend, which is now known as their creole roast.
Community Coffee Coffee and Chicory
Luzianne Premium Blend Coffee Mellowed with Chicory
Caf Du Monde Chicory Coffee Good All
Café du Monde is another traditional New Orleans-based company. Established in 1862, theyre best known for their traditional roasted coffee and chicory and their Beignets . Café du Mondes chicory coffee is typically served black or Au Lait .
You can buy a beignet mix from their website if you want the full Café du Monde experience at home. Sold in iconic yellow cans, this instant chicory coffee comes in either dark roast or decaf form.
You can also get capsules from Café du Monde, so if you have a coffee machine, you have this as an option. Although this coffee smells strong , it has a slight chocolate flavor and doesnt taste too bitter when added to hot milk.
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Whats Better About Coffee
Coffee tends to be easier to find in regular stores than chicory, and depending on where you live can be cheaper to purchase. In areas of the country or world where chicory is more popular, youre more likely to find it in the average grocery store, but otherwise, youll find it in health food stores or online.
In addition, coffee has caffeine while chicory does not for those who want the caffeine buzz, coffee is the better choice.
The Origins Of Chicory Coffee
If you are from New Orleans, you probably already know which coffee shops have the best chicory coffee. Burt Benrud, Vice President of the renowned Café du Monde, this citys landmark, says about this coffee :
When you look at the coffee aisle, youll see that all chicory brands are limited to about three. They really all originate here from this city.
During the historical economic recessions, such as the American Civil War or the Great Depression, stocks of coffee were dwindling. Citizens of New Orleans, a city historically notable for its coffee shops, had to find suitable alternatives.
The chicory grounds tasted similar to regular coffee, and with the right brew, there was hardly any difference. Today, this coffee is part of the citys tradition.
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Main Benefits Of Chicory Coffee
The health benefits of chicory coffee are many, not least because it is a plant that has been used in cooking since time immemorial for its medicinal properties. In any case, it is important to distinguish between the two parts of chicory that are consumed separately: the leaves and the root .
- It is a very digestive infusion. Its active ingredients increase the secretion of bile and gastric juices, which facilitate digestion, especially of fats.
- It helps to regulate intestinal functions and to combat the appearance of parasites.
- It promotes circulation and thus regulates blood pressure.
- It has diuretic properties.
- Does not contain caffeine and does not affect the nervous system.
- It is used to produce inulin. Inulin is a sweetening component which is also used as a food supplement.
- It has a mild laxative effect.
- It has a high concentration of vitamins and minerals.
- It has relaxing and analgesic properties. It is ideal to take at night, for example.
What Does Chicory Coffee Taste Lake
If the roots are fresh and you roasted them and ground them correctly, your chicory root coffee should have a similar taste to regular coffee. Due to its groundy taste, it is especially similar to Robusta. However, it has a sweeter aroma.
Famous food blogger Hank Shaw describes the chicory root coffee in his article:
Straight chicory coffee is some powerful stuff. It tastes like it is loaded with caffeine, but it isnt. It looks like a motor oil, has that malty-chocolate aroma, a brighter acidity than coffee, and a flavor I really am having trouble describing other than earthy.
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How To Find The Best Chicory Coffee The Low
If you want to cut down on caffeine, you might enjoy this guide on how to find the best chicory coffee. Chicory coffee is a great caffeine-free alternative to coffee, and you can find it in granules , grounds, or in capsules.
It has a strong smoky, earthy taste that some describe as bitter, but its a great choice if you want to cut down on your daily caffeine intake. If you are also interested in learning about more beverages, then you should get more information on Orangina here.
If youve never bought chicory coffee before, you might not know where to start. Our guide will show you what to look out for, as well as some of the tastiest chicory coffee options out there.
First, heres a quick look at the chicory and where it comes from.
Chicory As A Coffee Alternative
The flavor of chicory is similar to coffee, so it is popular both as a coffee addition and as a substitute for the popular drink. The beverage is made from roasted chicory roots and tastes like coffee with nutty and woody notes. Because of the health benefits of chicory, it is popular with those working to control their diet and those looking to lower caffeine consumption. Although the flavor of roasted chicory is similar to that of coffee, drinks made with chicory alone contain no caffeine.
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What Are The Health Benefits Of Chicory
Chicory has been thought to have medicinal qualities for over 5,000 years. What follows is a listing of some of the reputed health benefits of chicory. Whether historical or current, please be aware that we are neither endorsing nor reputing any of these claims. We just think they are pretty interesting.
- Early 19th century French chefs and writers believed chicory to be a contra-stimulante, that is, the sedative effects were a perfect complement to the stimulating effects of the caffeine in coffee. On the other hand they believed its use by bloodless or lymphatic persons should be avoided.
- The fresh root has been said to be useful against pulmonary consumption. A decoction of 1 oz of root to a pint of boiling water has been found to be effective against jaundice and liver enlargement.
- Syrup of chicory is said to be an excellent laxative for children since it works without irritation.
- Ancient herbalists considered the bruised leaves to make a good poultice for swelling and inflamed eyes.
- Modern herbalists say chicory increases bile production, moderates a rapid heart rate, lowers cholesterol and destroy bacteria.
- A recent Korean study indicates that that chicory reduces cholesterol levels and increases the ratio of HDL to LDL in the blood of tested animals.
Question: How Do I Prepare A Fresh Chicory Root
Answer: If you want to prepare it yourself, peel and clean the root thoroughly, then roast in even-sized chunks at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the chicory turns golden brown. Once cooled, you can place the pieces into a coffee grinder and grind them to roughly the same coarseness as your regular coffee grounds.
Once youre done, you can mix with regular coffee or enjoy it with hot milk or as black coffee.
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Where To Buy Chicory Coffee
To make the recipe above or your preferred chicory coffee vartion, you can buy chicory coffee already blended with coffee beans or roasted and chopped up on its own. Consider these options that can be ordered online and shipped to your doorstep.
- New Orleans Roast 100 Percent Pure Ground Chicory, $7.49 for 16 ounces shop.neworleansroast.com
- Café du Monde Coffee and Chicory, $7.44 for 15 ounces
- Chocolate Chicory Herbal Coffee, $10.99 for 11 ounces teeccino.com
Nutritional Value Of Chicory
Each chicory root individually weighs around 60 grams, contains only 44 calories, and is composed of about 0.8 grams of protein, 10.5 grams of carbs, 0.9 grams of fiber and only 0.1 grams of fat. Chicory also contains Vitamin B6 and C, Potassium, Phosphorus, Folate, and Manganese, though these nutrients will only be present in very low amounts in chicory coffee. This is because only a small amount of chicory root is needed to brew chicory coffee, so the presence of these nutrients will be low as well.
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Final Thoughts On Chicory
It takes a little time to get used to, but many people prefer the taste of chicory coffee to actual coffee in the long run.
Its a great hot drink in the morning. We also enjoy a cup after dinner with a little knibble on some chocolate.
We hope that youve found a chicory coffee to try in our list of the best chicory coffee brands. Give them a try!
If youd like to try other healthy drinks dont miss our top pricks for the best organic green tea brands? Theyre really good.
Alternatively, if youre trying to eat more healthily too, check out our top 10 best vegan cereal brands, we think youll be impressed.
*Affiliate Disclosure: We may be compensated if you purchase through affiliate links on this site. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
What Is Instant Coffee
Instant coffee is a type of soluble coffee that comes in the form of crystals or powder. It dissolves easily and quickly in warm or hot water. Premium instant coffee generally comes in the form of coffee crystals. It is made by brewing Arabica or Robusta coffee beans into a coffee concentrate. This concentrate is then dried into powder or crystals through freeze-drying or spray-drying.
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Caf Du Monde Coffee With Chicory
This is, probably, the best-known chicory coffee brand in the world.
Theyve been popular in New Orleans since the 1860s and the bold, rich flavor is unmistakable.
Theyre based in the French Market if you want to visit their roasting facilities.
You can find Café Du Monde Coffee With Chicory online.
Benefits Of Chicory Coffee
The root of Chicory has anti-parasitic elements and high-insulin content. It also contains soluble carbohydrates that are quite beneficial for your intestines, reduces bad cholesterol levels, and can even help with weight loss. During the roasting process, most of the insulin content is converted to sugar which works to mellow down the flavor. Nevertheless, it still manages to lower blood sugar levels and stabilize diabetes.
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What Is Chicory Anyway
Chicory flowers are bright blue, and you might know them as blue daisies or blue dandelions. Theyre native to the Mediterranean basin, and ancient cultures have used it for its many medicinal benefits
You know some chicory leaves for their most common name, radicchio, and are delicious on salads. Even a few brewers are using the stuff to add flavor to their concoctions, but thats not the type of brew were making today. Today its all about chicory coffee.
Chicory coffee is most commonly brewed from a chicory-arabica blend they work well together. So, were drinking coffee after all, just slightly more bitter, nuttier and healthier.