Today, we're going to get to the root of chicory! What is chicory coffee and why are people drinking it?
Chicory is actually a pretty blue plant. It may look nice, but we're interested in what grows underneath. The root of the plant. That bit ends up in our coffee and there's actually a whole load of tradition in it! The best chicory coffee is full of history, politics and some surprising health benefits.
What is Chicory Coffee?
I'm glad you asked! Chicory is a native French plant. It's used for a range of culinary purposes, not just coffee. You may find it in salads, for example. If you eat chicory roots without roasting them, they can taste strong and bitter. For this reason, it's always better to mix it with other food rather than eating it solo!
When chicory is roasted and ground (or cut up), we can use it as a coffee substitute. Why would we do this? Well, although it doesn't contain caffeine, it does taste a little like coffee. During times of coffee shortages, mixing chicory into coffee was the best alternative. Though we'll move onto more about its history later!
Even though coffee is now readily available, you may find chicory root coffee for sale in cafes across the states. New Orleans, in particular, are big advocates for the drink. Many coffee shops here add chicory to their hot milky drinks to preserve that tradition.
Adding chicory to coffee can add an extra nutty quality. It makes the body of your coffee a little lighter and generally adds a new twist to your morning cup.
The History of Chicory Coffee
Why did we feel the need to penny-pinch to the point of adding plants to our coffee?! The reason lies in a long history that saw struggles of the past. It's difficult to say exactly how it all began and where the idea came from. However, a widespread theory says that the first and best chicory coffee started in France.
Other theories suggest that people in Holland began adding chicory to their coffee way before the French, in 1750. This theory also says that the United States caught on in 1785. Whether or not this is true, its use truly boomed in France when needs were high.
A long, long time ago
My apologies for an unspecific date! Chicory is one of the oldest plants on record, so it's difficult to say exactly when it goes back to. It is native to Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa. Medieval monks grew chicory in Europe and people added it to food and drinks.
Traditionally, the root of the plant was also used in medicines to help treat jaundice and rheumatism.
Year 1808 - Napoleon's Continental Blockade
France's Napoleon set up a system to block any trade between France and Britain. He hated the British, and this was his way of fighting against them to cripple their economy! In his effort to boost France's status, he also badly affected the country in some ways. One of these ways being a major coffee shortage.
It makes sense, then, that the French came up with a solution during this time. In order to make their coffee go further, they added roasted chicory roots. They were already using them for other foods, so why not coffee?
Sometime later, in 1835, the country exported 1.25 million pounds of chicory.
Year 1840
A coffee importation harbor in New Orleans was blocked. At the time, the port was the second largest port for importing coffee in the US. Previous to this blockage, the people of New Orleans were big coffee drinkers! This was a blow, so they took tips from the French. They began adding chicory to their coffee.
With this influence, today's coffee vendors in New Orleans often blend their drinks with 30% chicory root.
Present day
Coffee is widely available in France and the majority of the world. But that doesn't matter! Preserving tradition is important, so you'll still find coffee with chicory if you know where to look.
Many prisons in the US serve chicory as a coffee substitute. This could be a nifty way to save money and avoid giving too much caffeine to inmates.
How to Make the Best Chicory Coffee
A surviving tradition in New Orleans is the chicory coffee with hot milk. The city sees this drink as a pivotal part of their history, so it doesn't look like it's getting poured away anytime soon! Adding chicory makes your coffee cheaper, and it's delicious too.
Want to know how to make the best chicory coffee like they do in "The Big Easy"? Silly question? Okay, here's the chicory coffee recipe you need for that taste of history.
Before you start, you need to prepare your chicory roots. Wash and peel them so they are clean. We're not looking for blobs of mud in our coffee! Cut up the roots into small, even pieces. Then roast them in a shallow pan. At this stage, if your pieces aren't consistent, they won't roast evenly!
Grind the pieces in a bur grinder. For this recipe, we're going to use a drip-style coffee maker, so grind fine-coarse. Now, you can brew the chicory coffee just like you make normal coffee.
You will need:
- Ground chicory, or half-and-half coffee and chicory (2 tbsp)
- Water (3 oz)
- Milk (3 oz)
- Sugar (optional)
- Warm cup
- Stove and saucepan or kettle
- Drip-style coffee maker
| The Method |
|---|---|
1. | Heat up the water so that it is almost at boiling point. Around 205 degrees F. should do it, so check the temperature if you have a thermometer. |
2. | Add the chicory grounds into the drip-style coffee maker. Ensure your coffee maker has a filter. Pour some water over the grounds to dampen them and wait for 30 seconds. |
3. | Pour the rest of the water until the upper container is full. |
4. | Heat up the milk in your saucepan. Don't boil it! |
5. | Add the brewed coffee into your heated cup and add sugar if desired. |
To make things easier for yourself, you can buy great chicory coffee already mixed. Often, this is sold in stores as a dark roast. Then, simply brew it as you usually would!
Chicory Coffee Benefits
An attractive taste and aroma aren't the only chicory coffee benefits to shout about. There's a reason why it was used for medical reasons in the past, too! Here are some other advantages to adding chicory roots to your coffee.
- The chicory coffee taste is similar to its caffeinated alternative. It has a sweet, smoky aroma and even looks like coffee when it's ground up. The flavor is strong with hints of chestnut, and the aftertaste lingers for a long time.
- You can choose to drink chicory as a whole or mix it with coffee beans to make the coffee go further.
- Like decaf coffee there's no caffeine. You might need caffeine for that morning boost, so this could be a negative for you! But, caffeine can be addictive and you should avoid drinking too much. If you don't want to go decaf but do want to cut down, try chicory.
- Chicory contains anti-inflammatory properties. A study at the University of Pécs Medical School in Hungary found that chicory was good for red blood cells. Volunteers' bodies were better able to respond to inflammation, the root of many diseases.
- Chicory can protect the liver against toxins. Along with this, chicory can reduce oxidative stress and prevent cell damage. It's high in antioxidants and great for the defense system.
- It can also help your gut and your digestive systems. It contains a pre-biotic, which encourages the growth of good probiotics in your body. As a result, your body produces more gas, but enhances calcium absorption!
The Bottom Line
It's no wonder that chicory has been used for medical purposes! Add it to your coffee (or use it alone) to keep your body ticking along nicely!
The history of chicory root in coffee is questionable. But one thing is for sure. Many cultures love it enough to maintain that history and build it into their present day life. Whether you add chicory to coffee for the flavor, cheapness or health benefits, brew it up and drink a cup!
