WHAT IS CHICORY COFFEE AND HOW TO MAKE IT?

Here’s all we know about chicory coffee and ways to prepare it.

Photo: Aeksandra Peric (Recipe maker)

You may have heard that chicory root coffee is a poor man’s version of coffee, but that’s not the whole story. It is a coffee substitute with its own special charms. 

You can find it as a delicacy in coffee shops in many parts of the world, but it has become a New Orleans staple – a celebrated part of the city’s famed coffee shop culture.

The best part is that you can brew it at home. Let’s find out how to make chicory root coffee on your own!

What is chicory coffee?

Chicory coffee is a drink made from the root of the chicory plant, a member of the dandelion family. It doesn’t contain any part of the actual coffee plant but takes its name from the fact that the raw chicory root is roasted, ground, brewed, and served just like coffee.

New Orleans-style chicory coffee often contains coffee and chicory, both given a dark French roast. It was developed to combine the unique flavor and low price of chicory with the caffeine boost of coffee beans.

Does chicory have caffeine? 

No, chicory has no caffeine content unless it is mixed with coffee. It’s a great way to get your coffee fix while reducing your caffeine intake.

What Does Chicory Coffee Taste Like?

Chicory root coffee has a nutty flavor similar to brewed coffee, provided the roots are fresh and you roasted and ground them correctly. Due to its somewhat woody taste, it is often compared to Robusta. However, it has a sweeter aroma.

Famous food blogger Hank Shaw describes it in his article:

The History of Chicory Root Coffee

Today, chicory coffee is most popular in New Orleans coffee shops, but its origins can be traced to 17th century Europe, specifically France. In the 1800s, French influence extended to its colonies, and by 1840, the port city of New Orleans was the second-largest imported of coffee.

Then came the American Civil War, when union naval blockades cut off New Orleans and caused a coffee shortage. New Orleanians began mixing the cheaper and more readily available chicory root to bolster their reserves. 

Chicory was used as a coffee substitute again during the Great Depression, after which chicory coffee gained some cultural significance in the region. Burt Benrud, Vice President of the New Orleans landmark Café du Monde, says (1):

With the right brew, chicory grounds have a similar flavor to standard coffee. Some even prefer their natural sweet, earthiness. Today, coffee with chicory has become part of the city’s tradition.

Health Benefits of Chicory Coffee – And Risks

Chicory is naturally caffeine-free beverage. As such, if you need to limit your caffeine intake, it is a better option than decaf coffee. 

Chicory coffee may also lower blood sugar and reduce inflammation because the root contains inulin, which manages blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. Throughout history, medicinal chicory has been used to treat many conditions, including heart failure, gout, liver enlargement, jaundice, loss of appetite, and constipation (2). However, there is little scientific evidence of its effectiveness in most cases.

You should avoid chicory if you’re allergic to ragweed and birch pollen. Chicory itself can cause some allergic reactions such as pain or swelling. Pregnant women shouldn’t consume it because it can cause miscarriage or menstrual bleeding in some instances.

How To Make Chicory Coffee

Here’s how to make coffee with chicory just like a New Orleans native. You can use chicory or chicory mixed with coffee, depending on your caffeination needs.

Extra notes:

• Chicory roots: There are different varieties of chicory plants, and you can use whichever you can get. Wild chicory grows freely in the USA, so search for a tall plant with a blue flower. If you can’t get wild chicory, you can use the root of curly endive (also from the chicory family).
• Baking sheet or a shallow pan: You’ll need to roast the pieces of the root, just like with green coffee beans.
• A burr grinder: You’ll need your chicory to be ground to make proper coffee. If you don’t have a grinder, you can manually turn the root into powder with a mortar and pestle.
• Regular coffee (optional): If you want the addition of coffee to your chicory drink.
• Milk (optional): You will need milk if you want to make chicory cafe au lait (café latte), one of the famous variations of this coffee.
• Coffee machine: It can be any device that you use to brew your coffee, such as a French press, pour-over, espresso machine, or other.

The Chicory Root Coffee Recipe

Chicory coffee is one of the many coffee alternatives you can make especially if you’re cutting down your caffeine intake. It tastes a lot like coffee, hence, its popularity. 

Now that you have all the ingredients, you can brew your drink at home. Here’s how:

Step 1: Mince the roots

You can skip the first two steps if you buy minced and roasted chicory roots that are ready for use. 

Cut the roots into pieces not longer than 1 inch. The roots are sturdy, so you’ll need a sharp knife. Make sure you cut them all the same size so that they roast evenly.

Step 2: Roast the chicory pieces

Preheat your oven to 350 F. Arrange the chicory pieces on a shallow baking pan or a baking sheet and place them into the oven. Roast until their color changes to golden brown, about 30 minutes. If you can sense a coffee-like smell, they are finished. Let them cool.

Step 3: Grind the roots

Place the cooled roasted chicory roots into your burr grinder and grind them with the same coarseness as you grind your coffee beans. For example, it should be a fine grind if you’re brewing them in an espresso machine or a coarser grind if you have a French press.

Step 4: Mix chicory with ground coffee

The ratio is up to you. For a low caffeine option, you can try a 4:1 ratio of chicory to coffee. A 2:3 chicory-to-coffee blend of is perfect if you want to gradually reduce your caffeine intake. If you just want to stretch your coffee supply, adding four-fifths of chicory will do the trick. Alternatively, you don’t have to add coffee at all for a true chicory coffee.

Step 5: Brew your coffee

Use the ground chicory root and coffee powder mix to make the coffee as you regularly would. All the other factors such as time, water temperature, and technique should be the same.

Step 6: Add some foamed milk

Add foamed milk on top of the drink for a chicory latte. Sprinkle toppings or flavorings to enhance the aroma, and serve your chicory root coffee.

Final Thoughts

I hope I’ve convinced you that chicory coffee is more than just a poor man’s coffee. It’s a delicious caffeine-free coffee substitute with a fascinating past, rich culture, and noteworthy health benefits. 

If you’ve never tried it, I encourage you to follow this recipe and try it at home! Go head and experiment with ratios and toppings, or make a rich chicory café au lait. Of course, serve it with beignets for the immersive New Orleans experience. Who knows, maybe you end up loving chicory more than coffee itself.

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