Organic Coffee with Chicory

Organic coffee is good for you and typically an organic coffee is high quality Arabica as well. Chicory is a time honored coffee substitute that you can obtain in organic form. Why would you want organic coffee with chicory? First let’s look at the benefits of chicory. The Organic Facts website discusses the benefits of chicory.

Chicory is a woody, herbaceous plant that has a wealth of health benefits, including the ability to ease digestive problems, prevent heartburn, reduce arthritis pains, detoxify the liver and gallbladder, prevent bacterial infections, boost the immune system, and reduce the chance of heart disease. It is also a natural sedative, and can protect against kidney stones, and benefit attempts to lose weight. All in all, this small plant is a powerful addition to any diet.

Chicory increases bile flow from the liver which is how it improves digestion.  This increases the breakdown of fats that we eat. In addition chicory contains inulin which helps keep the bacterial flora in the intestine healthy. And chicory like many herbs is high in antioxidants which puts it right in the same ballpark as coffee as an antioxidant source.

Antioxidants help prevent the damage caused by excessive oxidation and to a degree inhibit the aging process. When an oxidative reaction brought on by disease gets going it produces free radicals that start chain reactions which in turn cause cell and tissue damage. The human body has or uses antioxidants to control this situation. Natural means of controlling oxidation include vitamins C and E as well as glutathione. It is low levels of antioxidants that can lead to a condition referred to as oxidative stress and resultant damage to cells in the body. Organic coffee antioxidants are in the same class of molecules that help reduce oxidation.

We have previously written the plant has also been used as a coffee substitute.

Chicory coffee is common in Southeast Asia, South Africa and the Southern USA, especially New Orleans. Elsewhere Chicory has been used when coffee is not available such as during the Second World War in Europe and everywhere outside of coffee producing countries in the Great Depression. Strong blond Belgian style ales often contain chicory to augment the hops.

Making Organic Coffee with Chicory

You can certainly buy coffee, chicory or a mixture of both. But if you want to do it right, how do you make chicory coffee?

Starting with fresh chicory root, preferably from your own garden, pick and clean.

Cut into slices and dry in the sun or in the oven on low temperature.

Roast the chicory in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for at least half an hour or longer for a “darker” roast.

Grind the roasted chicory chips, twice as they do not grind as well as coffee.

Grind your whole bean organic roasted coffee.

Make the first batch with half coffee and half chicory.

Then adjust to taste in later batches.

Chicory has a chocolate and malt-like aroma and flavor. It is slightly more acidic than coffee. Drink your organic coffee with chicory and think of New Orleans.




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