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Last Updated on July 7, 2023

Have you ever heard of chicory coffee? Chicory root makes a great coffee substitute for those who are trying to quit coffee. Using a blend of chicory and coffee can also help you limit your caffeine intake. Learn all about chicory and make your own delicious cup using our chicory coffee recipe.

Chicory Coffee Recipe

Have you been wondering how to make chicory root coffee and what the possible health benefits are? Perhaps you are a coffee lover trying to cut out caffeine and looking for a coffee substitute?

Discover how easy it is to make chicory coffee and brew up this delicious warm cup with our easy chicory coffee recipe.

First, let’s learn a bit more about chicory root!

What is Chicory Root Coffee?

Chicory coffee is a popular coffee drink that is made using roots of chicory plants. It’s often used as a coffee substitute and actually totes some great health benefits. The chicory leaves are also a great green leafy vegetable full of nutrients.

The rich flavor of chicory helps satisfy those who have coffee cravings, but are unable to drink real coffee. Chicory is also often an added ingredient in mushroom coffee blends.

What Does Chicory Root Coffee Taste Like?

There’s a great reason that chicory coffee has been used as a caffeine-free coffee substitute! The taste of chicory coffee is reminiscent of regular coffee as it has a familiar bitter taste, with added nutty and woodsy flavors.

Chicory coffee is actually a type of tea, but since it is reminiscent of the taste of coffee, most call it chicory coffee rather than chicory tea.

Types of Roasted Chicory Root

You can make chicory coffee using chicory grounds (or granules), similar to how one would use instant coffee grounds. In addition, you can also use ground chicory root powder or roasted chicory roots. You can use a healthier sweetener for coffee to jazz up the flavor, such as raw honey. There are other unrefined sugars you can used as well.

Chicory Root Granules

Chicory root granules are the roots of the chicory plant that have been roasted and ground. It’s very similar to instant coffee.

Chicory Root Powder

The easiest way to make chicory coffee is to use chicory root powder (or ground chicory). You can often find this in a container with a scoop or sometimes in pre-measured tea bags.

Chicory powder has more of a fine grind than the granules, like ground coffee. The brewing process is similar to brewing a pot of coffee.

Chicory Root Coffee Blend

It’s becoming more and more common to find coffee with chicory blends. This can be helpful when you are cutting down on your caffeine consumption by using less coffee in your brew. The chicory-to-coffee ratio can vary, so be sure to check lables.

It also makes for a naturally sweeter coffee without added sugar by adding a hint of sweetness.

Roasting Chicory Root

If you are using the root of the plant, you will want to be sure to clean each root thoroughly and then roast them in the oven before making chicory coffee.

Steps for Roasting Chicory Root

1.) Start by carefully cutting the roots with a sharp knife into small pieces so that they are uniform in size.

2.) Next, using a baking sheet, roast the roots in the oven at 350 degrees until they are a nice golden brown. You will notice a coffee-like smell wafting from the oven – that means they are probably ready.

3.) After you have roasted the roots they can be ground using a burr grinder, coffee grinder, or even a mortar and pestle.

How to Brew Chicory Root Coffee

Brewing roasted chicory root powder is just like brewing coffee – you can use a drip coffee maker, French press, espresso machine, or a tea kettle.

When you brew chicory root coffee granules, it’s just like brewing loose leaf tea. Choose your desired water temperature, let the granules steep to your desired strength, and then enjoy!

Health Benefits of Chicory Root

Roasted chicory root is slightly alkaline, so if you have acid reflux or are just looking to eat/drink more alkaline foods, then chicory root might be a great option to replace your coffee.

Chicory root is loaded with many nutrients, including calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and folate. It also contains magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin A.

In addition to the great nutrients chicory contains, there are many other health benefits!

Detoxification

Chicory contains substances that help with waste removal and digestion. Additionally, it helps the liver and digestive system to remove toxins from your body.

May Aid in Weight Loss

Chicory can help aid in weight loss by regulating your appetite. Studies have shown that chicory helps to decrease a hormone that makes you feel fungry.

Studies have also shown that chicory can help boost metabolism and encourage fat loss due to adiponectin, also known as a slimming hormone that is found in chicory root.

Ease Menstural Symptoms

Some studies indicate that regular consumption of chicory root can help to maintain balance of hormones and lessen premenstrual symptoms.

May Help Balance Hormones

Chicory root aids in natural estrogen detoxification, due to the support it provides to the liver. Supporting liver function also helps to bring a balance to hormones.

May Help Improve Gut Health

Because chicory root is a great source of the prebiotic fibre inulin, it’s excellent to promote good gut health. In addition, it can even help reduce inflammation in the gut and protect it from harmful bacteria.

Anti-inflammatory

Chicory is just one of the many herbal teas good for inflammation. The anti-inflammatory properties are due in part to the antioxidants known as polyphenols that are abundant in chicory root.

So, if you are looking for a coffee replacement that can also help decrease inflammation, chicory root coffee makes a great substitute.

Helps Improve Digestion

The bitter compounds found in chicory root stimulate bile production in the liver. This is essential for healthy digestion, and these bitter compounds assist in elimination of toxins and waste from the body.

Great Source of Antioxidants

Chicory is a wonderful source of plant phytonutrients and antioxidants, which have the ability to fight inflammation and free radicals. It has also been shown to fight age-related oxidative stress too!

May Prevent and Help Cancer

Some studies have concluded that chicory root can help certain types of cancer. For instance, one study indicates that chicory root can help kill breast cancer cells. Additionally, the inulin in chicory is linked to the prevention of colon cancer.

Antifungal Properties

Studies have shown that chicory root has antifungal, antiviral, and antiomicrobial properties, which can help fight harmful infections, such as candida.

Other Ways to Consume Chicory

Although chicory coffee is the most common way to consume chicory root, there are different ways you can incorporate chicory into your diet.

The greens are rich in vitamin C and can also be eaten. They tend to be a little bitter, but you can boil them in water to reduce the bitterness and then toss them in a pan with a little oil and sea salt to saute them.

Wild chicory greens come in the form of radicchio, escarole, and endive.

You can also cook the roots and eat them like other root vegetables.

Chicory Root Side Effects

There are some possible side effects of drinking chicory coffee. It’s considered a ragweed allergy food, so if it’s ragweed season and you have allergic reactions, you might want to hold off on drinking chicory coffee.

Since chicory can aid in detoxification, drinking too much of it can cause laxative-like effects, so drink in moderation.

The fiber content in chicory root can cause abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, gas, bloating, and/or constipation if over used.

Chicory Root Coffee Recipe Ingredients

All you need to make a chicory coffee drink are the following ingredients:

roasted chicory root granules
boiling water
steamed milk (regular milk or a plant-based milk)
sweetener of choice: maple syrup, raw honey, coconut sugar, stevia, xylitol (from birch), monk fruit syrup, etc.
cinnamon

How to Make Chicory Coffee

So, now that you know about all the health benefits of chicory root and how you can use is as a coffee substitute, you may be wondering “How do you make chicory coffee?” Well, the good news is – it’s super easy!

1.) First, steep chicory in hot water.

2.) While the chicory is steeping, heat milk of choice in a pot to just before boiling. Remove from heat.

3.) Then strain chicory coffee with a fine mesh strainer or a tea strainer.

4.) Next, add the sweetener to your desired taste, followed by the steamed milk.

5.) Froth the milk with an immersion blender or milk frother.

6.) Sprinkle on cinnamon

7.) Don’t forget the chicory coffee additives (see just above the recipe card)

How Much Chicory Do You Need for Just One Cup of Chicory Root Coffee?

If you are making just a single cup of chicory coffee, you can start with 1 cup of water to 2 teaspoons of ground chicory root. If you find you like it stronger, add a bit more chicory to your taste and lengthen the brew time a bit.

How Much Chicory Should I Add to My Coffee?

If you are trying to cut down on coffee, you can start by using a 3:1 ratio of coffee and chicory. As you get used to less caffeine, you can increase the amount of chicory until you hit your desired caffeine level.

How Do You Make Chicory Coffee Less Bitter?

Chicory has a natural bitterness to it, which is why it makes a good coffee substitute. Just like with regular coffee, you can add milk (any type of nut milk or dairy milk) and a sweetener, such as maple syrup to help cut down on the bitterness.

Why Do People Put Chicory in Coffee?

People have been using chicory in their coffee for a long time! It has been called the poor man’s coffee because during hard times, like the American Civil War and the Great Depression, folks used chicory in place of (or added to) coffee to cut down on costs.

Others add equal parts chicory to coffee to wean off coffee or cut down on caffeine.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Chicory Coffee?

Chicory root is safe for most everyone – even children, but some studies show it’t not safe for pregnant women. One of the cons about chicory root is that it can cause bloating and gas though, so be sure to drink it in moderation.

Is Chicory Coffee Healthier Than Coffee?

Chicory and coffee both have health benefits when consumed in moderation. For some, chicory might be the better choice if caffeine is an issue. If someone has acid reflux or gastrointenstial issues, chicory may be the better option, however there are ways to make coffee less acidic.

The Origins of Chicory Coffee

Chicory coffee has been around for hundreds of years, originally used in coffee blends throughout France as early as the 19th century. The term chicory actually comes from the French word chicoree.

Where to Buy Chicory Root?

You can purchase chicory root from a bulk herb store, or at your local health foods store.

Frontier Co-op sells organic roasted chicory root granules by the pound.

Who Shouldn’t Drink Chicory Root Coffee?

Since it has been found that chicory stimulates bile production, individuals with gallstones should use with caution and consult with their physician before consuming.

Pregnant women should avoid drinking chicory coffee.

People with SIBO, Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis should use caution when drinking chicory coffee because of the high fiber content.

For other existing health conditions, consult your health care provider before using chicory root.

Chicory Coffee Recipe Variations

This easy chicory coffee recipe is so simple to make and the following variations allow you options for enhancing the flavors.

Toss in some grass-fed collagen & blend with an immersion blender.
The addition of MCT oil or coconut oil adds in some healthy fats.
Add carob or cacao and some cream (dairy or coconut cream) and blend for more of a mocha-like taste.
Add dandelion root tea to further enhance the health benefits.
Drop cinnamon sticks into your mugs and stir for a rich cinnamon flavor (and a pretty cup!).
The addition of some maca root powder can help give you a caffeine-free energy boost.
Vanilla extract or vanilla protein powder will give it a nice flavor.

You might enjoy reading about the benefits of wildflower honey as a natural sweetener.

Easy Chicory Root Coffee Recipe

Print Recipe

This easy chicory coffee recipe is hot, creamy, and delicious – not to mention full of amazing health benefits.

Author: My Big Fat Grain Free Life
Prep Time: <5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: <10 minutes
Yield: 2 servings (mugs) 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 tbsp roasted chicory root granules
1.5 C filtered water
1/2 C milk of choice
1 tsp of choice natural sweetener: maple syrup, raw honey, coconut sugar, stevia, xylitol (from birch), monk fruit syrup, etc.
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Bring water to a low boil and add the chicory granules. Allow to steep for 5 minutes.
While the chicory is brewing, steam your milk of choice in a small sauce pan. Do not allow to boil or scald.
Strain the chicory coffee using a fine mesh strainer and divide into two mugs.
Add the sweetener to your desired taste.
Add the milk to each mug and then froth using an immersion blender or milk frother.
Sprinkle with cinnamon & serve!