Chicory coffee: what it is and how to make it

Chicory coffee used to be known as a beverage left over from the war or, in any case, a legacy from ancient times. Indeed it was a very popular beverage in the countryman’s diet of our grandparents and great-grandparents, and it was all the rage during the war too, as traditional coffee had become impossible to find and was far too expensive.

But over the last few years, the beverage sourced from the roots of Chicorium intybus (a wild plant that grows in various Italian regions) has been making a comeback, courtesy of the many beneficial effects it has on the organism. Let’s discover them all and then, above all, let’s find out how to make chicory coffee.

The positive effects of chicory coffee: so many virtues

Chicory coffee undoubtedly a “light” alternative to traditional coffee as it is caffeine-free. But that’s not all: it would truly appear to be good for your health. In fact, it offers a wide range of benefits:

• It favours the digestion.
• It is an elixir for the liver: it favours the detoxification of the blood.
• It aids the intestine and the immune system.
• It counteracts the effect of the free radicals, acting as a natural antioxidant, thanks to the presence of polyphenols.
• Its fibre content makes the beverage an excellent laxative and, at the same time, of great help to diabetics in controlling their blood sugar. And of course ideal due to the fact that it contains no sugar.
• Instead it does contain lots of iron, perfect for those suffering from anaemia.

How chicory coffee is made

It is difficult to find chicory coffee? No: you’re sure to find it in herbalist shops without any problems. Not to mention also in supermarkets and online.

Good, now that we know where to buy it, it’s time to find out how to make chicory coffee. You can choose between two different methods:

1. Use a moka machine and only fill half the filter, similarly to the way barley coffee is made. Then place the moka machine on the hob at a low heat and wait for the beverage to come out.
2. The alternative is to prepare an infusion. Here, all you have to do is pour cold water and a few teaspoons of chicory (about 30 gr) into a small pot, bring it to the boil and leave it for a few minutes. Then filter it using a tea strainer before serving. You could also flavour your beverage with a stick of cinnamon or some honey.

Your chicory coffee is ready! While you’re savouring its flavour (quite similar to that of traditional coffee), discover a few tips on how to have a healthy breakfast at the bar: this way you’ll find it easier to follow a healthier diet starting first thing in the morning, and whenever you’re away from home.