Chicory Coffee Surprising Benefits | 5 Chicory Coffee Recipes

Chicory coffee benefits are surprisingly many. And if you want a good caffeine-free alternative to regular coffee chicory coffee is a worthy option. While caffeine can be hard on the digestive tract, chicory coffee is much more gut-friendly. It’s surprisingly beneficial.

Chicory coffee benefits

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is also called succory, cornflower, endive, radicchio, or sugarloaf. Chicory belongs to the Asteraceae, sunflower and daisy family and is related to lettuce and dandelions.

Chicory root is naturally caffeine free so it’s safe to drink in the evening. In fact, it’s slightly calming and sedative. Chicory root contains potent, aromatic, active substances—the five mentioned below are responsible for most benefits of chicory coffee.^[1]Chemical Composition and Nutritive Benefits of Chicory (nih.gov)^[2]Sources of Prebiotics and Functional Foods (tandfonline.com)^[3]Chicory a useful herb (ijfas.com)^[4]FoodData Central (usda.gov)^[5]Chemical Composition and Nutritive Benefits of Chicory (hindawi.com)

1. Inulin: an excellent prebiotic that feeds and strengthens the gut colony of healthy bacteria. Chicory root contains about 8% inulin, which is converted in the gut, fist into short-chain fatty acids, then into ketones producing hormones that control appetite.^[6]Health Effects and Sources of Prebiotic Dietary Fiber (nih.gov)^[7]Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology (hindawi.com)
2. Lactones: digestive bitters and potent volatile oils that are anti-parasite, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory.^[8]Anti-inflammatory Effects of a Sesquiterpene Lactone Extract from Chicory 2007 (sagepub.com)^[9]Lactones: benefits to plants and people – PubMed (nih.gov)
3. Mannitol: a sugar that paradoxically supports oral health, prevents dental caries, tooth decay, and cavities.
4. Polyphenols: powerful antioxidants.^[10]Chicory extracts rich in fructans and polyphenols (icm.edu.pl)^[11]Dietary polyphenolic fraction of chicory root, peel, seed and leaf extracts | Cambridge Core^[12]Polyphenols: antioxidants and beyond | Oxford Academic (oup.com)
5. Lactucin: a bitter substance with a mild sedative, calming effect; it can slightly reduce pain.^[13]Analgesic and sedative activities of lactucin – ScienceDirect

Potential Chicory benefits

• Effective at eliminating intestinal worms, parasites
• Promotes the gut microorganisms colony^[14]Prebiotic effects of chicory inulin on human intestinal microbial ecosystem – Wiley Online Library
• Anti-inflammatory properties^[15]Chicory root extract in patients with osteoarthritis – PubMed (nih.gov)^[16]Anti-inflammatory activity of roots of Cichorium – PubMed (nih.gov)
• Sedative, calming effect
• Cardiovascular health^[17]Thrombosis preventive potential of chicory coffee – PubMed (nih.gov)
• Improves metabolism
• Improves blood sugar^[18]Roasted chicory root, blood glucose, lipid metabolism – PubMed (nih.gov)
• Lower triglycerides
• High in antioxidants^[19]Chicory antioxidant gene transcripts – PubMed (nih.gov)
• Regulate heartbeat
• Alleviates constipation^[20]Effects of chicory inulin in constipated elderly people – PubMed (nih.gov)
• Detoxifying agent
• Treats joint pain^[21]Chicory root extract in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee – PubMed (nih.gov)
• Liver support
• Weight loss^[22]Oligofructose Promotes Satiety – Obesity Research – Wiley Online Library

Chicory coffee recipes

The chicory root is dried, roasted, and brewed into a coffee-like drink. Coffee lovers sometimes say that chicory coffee does not taste like real coffee. True, but chicory coffee is still an excellent, caffeine-free substitute. Roasted chicory root produce a smooth, slightly bitter-sweet taste.

Try the famous Café Du Monde brew—a mix of regular coffee and chicory.

• Frontier roasted chicory root granules
• Cafe Du Monde Coffee Chicory Ground

Some mix chicory root with other ingredients to create a more complex taste. The recipes below can be used as a basis to make your own brews. Add any sweetener of your choice (stevia, honey, agave, raw sugar). Milk, cream, or coconut milk enhance the taste. Chicory coffee can be stored in the fridge and be reheated.

1. Chicory Coffee with Cardamom

• One quart water (1 liter)
• 3 tablespoons roasted chicory root granules
• Let it simmer for a few minutes
• Add cardamom powder just before serving
• The coffee will keep in the fridge for a few days and can be reheated

You can strain the solid parts, or leave the granules to soak longer for a fuller taste. Another way is to grind the chicory to a powder. Use 2 teaspoons or so in a cup, pour hot water, add milk or cream.

2. Chicory & Dandelion Coffee

• 1 quart water (1 liter)
• 2 tablespoons roasted chicory granules
• 2 tablespoons roasted dandelion root
• Optional: 1/2 tablespoon cacao or carob powder
• Optional: 1 teaspoon molasses

Simmer all ingredients in water for 3-5 minutes. Pour the coffee into a cup through a fine mesh. Dandelion adds bitterness to the coffee and has additional gut benefits. Some people add a tablespoon ground coffee to the brew to raise the taste a few notches.

3. Chicory & Cocoa brew

• One quart water (1 liter)
• 3 tablespoons roasted chicory root granules
• 1-2 teaspoons cocoa powder
• Raw sugar & cream (optional, but irresistible!)

Let chicory and cocoa powder simmer in a pan for a few minutes. Whisk to mix the cocoa powder. Strain and serve. This brew feels thicker and has a fuller, more complex taste.

4. Ken’s Chicory Brew

This recipe is to make a dry mix to keep in a jar. The purpose of this mix is to create a more bitter, complex, and supercharged brew to support gut health. Amounts are only approximate.

• 1 cup (3 dl) roasted chicory root powder or granules
• 3 tablespoons roasted dandelion root granules/powder
• 2 tablespoons ground fennel seeds
• 1-2 tablespoons ground dandelion leaves
• 1-2 teaspoons wormwood (very bitter)
• 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon powder
• 1-2 teaspoons cardamom powder

Mix all ingredients in a large glass jar. It can be stored similar to standard coffee.

How to brew: use 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in about a quart water (1 liter). Simmer for 10-20 minutes and let it sit for another 15 minutes or more. Strain and drink or refrigerate. Can be kept in the fridge for a few days and reheated.

5. Iced Chicory Coffee

This is a great recipe in the summer. There are several ways to prepare iced chicory coffee. Some recipes call for a “cold brew” achieved by steeping grounded chicory and coffee in water in room temperature for 12 hours. However, you can also boil the chicory.

1. Boil chicory granules a few minutes.
2. Strain and cool the brew.
3. Add ice cubes to a large glass.
4. Pour the cool chicory coffee.
5. Add milk or cream
6. Add a sweetener like maple syrup, honey, stevia, raw sugar.
7. Stir and enjoy!

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