2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Chicory is a decaffeinated herb that is a popular coffee substitute.
If you want to enjoy a coffee-like beverage without encountering caffeine, chicory is one of your best options. The taste is very similar to ordinary coffee and because chicory naturally does not contain caffeine, it is liked by lovers of a healthier lifestyle.
The chicory plant
The chicory plant (Cichorium intybus) is a perennial plant with purple-blue flowers that open and close at exactly the same time each day. It is widespread in North America and Europe.
Chicory is often incorrectly identified, misspelled or known by other names.
Although the leaves and flowers of the plant are used as food, chicory root used to prepare the drink "chicory".
The flowers and leaves can be used in salads and flavored vinegars. They are also used in healing tonics in some parts of the world.
Each chicory plant has a long and dense root. Chicory root is roasted before boiling, but can be boiled and eaten as a vegetable.
The story of drinking a chicory drink
Chicory is one of the oldest registered plant species. It is native to North Africa, West Asia and Europe, and its cultivation is believed to have originated in Egypt in ancient times. Chicory was later grown by medieval monks in Europe and at the same time was often added to coffee by the Dutch. It was brought to North America in 1700 and is a popular coffee substitute or a coffee ingredient in France from about 1800.
Historically, many substitutes have been used when coffee was not available - including roasted acorns, yams and various beans - however Chicory is the preferred coffee substitute. In some social groups it is even used when coffee is available and cheap.
Making chicory coffee
To turn chicory root into an edible (or technically drinkable) substance, the root is pulled from the ground, washed, dried, baked, finely chopped and then boiled. The process gives chicory a roasted aroma, roughly similar to that of coffee, and this is its main attraction as a beverage. Chicory is more soluble in water than coffee, which means you have to use much less of it when brewing it with or instead of coffee.
As chicory usually much cheaper than coffee, this substitute is great if you are on a small budget.
Recipes for chicory drinks
There are many ways to enjoy chicory in your drinks. To make basic chicory coffee, use about 2/3 ground coffee and 1/3 chicory. Cook as you normally would in a machine, French press or whatever your favorite method is.
Enjoy chicory on its own, making it like any other coffee, but start with at least half the usual amount. Add spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg or star anise for more flavor.
You can also use chicory to add coffee flavor to various foods.
Chicory and your health
Usually chicory is considered healthy. It is naturally decaffeinated and if you have problems with caffeine addiction or caffeine overdose, drinking chicory can be a good way to reduce its intake or eliminate it in your diet.
Chicory has also been reported to kill intestinal parasites (or act as a vermifuga), purify the blood and improve liver health.
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