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How to make chicory coffee? — Making a cup of chicory (herbal) coffee is as easy as making a cup of tea! But this herbal coffee is dark, for those of us who love a rich, bold, slightly bitter punch, and tastes a lot like real coffee. This hot beverage is a great caffeine-free option for everyone and also happens to be Keto and AIP — a cup that will truly satisfy, and it’s inexpensive.
To add to its allure, chicory coffee has the nutritional benefit of containing prebiotics, actually the highest concentration of inulin in any plant! Prebiotics are GREAT for colon and gut health. They feed probiotics; so they’re at home in your gut with every meal, helping the friendly bacteria to proliferate. (source)
Scroll to the bottom of this post to see more of chicory’s health benefits. There are SO many!! 🙂
Jump to Recipe
Why to make 1-ingredient Chicory Coffee — instead of coffee or blends
Personally I love decaffeinated coffee.
And I love herbal coffee mixtures.
But what I learned is that chicory alone is excellent in flavor, easy and quick to make and inexpensive.
I was buying a yummy herbal coffee blend that was pricey, and now I see, unnecessary.
When I found bulk chicory (I like this one), I thought I’d experiment to see how it tasted on its own.
All the recipes I’d seen online included blends with dandelion root and many other ingredients. I don’t always have the time nor the desire to blend one more canister of herbs. I want simple — yet dark and rich and satisfying.
That is exactly what I got with chicory. It stands on its own beautifully. We can all add dandelion and other roots, if we choose, but they aren’t needed to make a healthful, flavorful brew — just optional if you want additional benefits or nuances.
Roasted chicory root is also excellent mixed (in varying ratios) with real coffee grounds. This, of course, is done in New Orleans. And it’s done by many who are trying to reduce their caffeine intake.
Here’s how to make basic, one-ingredient Chicory “Coffee” (and a few variations):
How to Make Chicory "Coffee"- 1 ingredient, herbal, 5 minutes, prebiotics
Equipment
- pot
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon chicory root roasted and ground, see Recipe notes below for sourcing
- 2 cups filtered water
Instructions
- Place water into small saucepan and bring to simmer. While it heats add chicory either to a French press -or- to the pot with water.
- When water comes to a boil, turn off heat and pour it into French press. Alternately allow the chicory root to steep in the pot. Steep for 5 minutes.
- Pour through mesh strainer into mug. Sweeten and/or add something creamy, as desired; or drink black.
- See Recipe notes below for variations.
Notes
Find bulk chicory root here.
Variations
- "Herbal Coffee"~ Add 1 Tablespoon roasted, ground dandelion root to the hot water, to steep with the chicory. (You can find ground dandelion root here.)
- "Bulletproof"~ Make it "bulletproof" by placing the finished "coffee" in the blender. Add: 1 Tablespoon MCT oil, 1 Tablespoon coconut oil (get 10% off at check out with code BEAUTIFUL10) (or ghee, if tolerated), and either stevia to taste for Keto or 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup, if desired, for Paleo/AIP. I also like to add 1 Tablespoon gelatin. Blend using caution, starting at the blender's lowest speed; then increase to medium speed for 12 seconds.
- "Horchata"~ Blend in ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, 1 Tablespoon coconut cream, and 1 Tablespoon gelatin or collagen. Blend using caution, starting at the blender's lowest speed; then increase to medium speed for 12 seconds.
- "Mocha"~ Blend in 1 Tablespoon toasted carob for AIP or fair trade cocoa powder for Keto, and either stevia to taste for Keto or 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup for Paleo/AIP, 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt. I also like to add 2 Tablespoons fat of choice (coconut oil, butter or ghee) and 1 Tablespoon gelatin. Blend using caution, starting at the blender's lowest speed; then increase to medium speed for 12 seconds.
Nutrition
Health benefits of chicory
- Chicory root is anti-inflammatory and great for cardiovascular health. (source)
- Chicory helps to support and detoxify the liver. (source)
- Because of its prebiotic qualities, it relieves constipation and helps to prevent colon cancer. (source and source)
- Chicory triggers the gall bladder to release bile, making it great for digestion. (source)
- Inulin helps blood sugar levels and helps to expel toxins. (source and source)
- Chicory is HIGH in antioxidants. (source)
- It is anti-fungal. (source)
(Dandelion root [find it here] also has many wonderful wellness properties, making it very popular, and rightly so, in health circles. It’s known to be high in anti-oxidants and good for circulatory health. It helps to produce bile; it helps to support liver health; and it can help to increase energy levels.)
Do you use chicory yet? It’s a great way to enjoy a hot cup!
Enjoy these other hot herbal beverages as well:
Renee Kohley says
I had no idea Megan! I love that this is full of pre-biotics – which pretty much everyone could use more of! I sure do enjoy my coffee in the morning, but this would make a great afternoon pick me up! Thanks!
Megan Stevens says
Yay!
Anya | Prepare & Nourish says
Love love love chicory and dandelion together. My favorite afternoon treat and I make it with coconut oil and collagen (I use a frother thingy). The best!!
Megan Stevens says
Lovely!!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
I’ve never used chicory before but I’d love to try it. I love the health aspect of it and I especially love your “Horchata” version, so yummy!
Megan Stevens says
Cinnamon is so special! 🙂
Sylvie Shirazi says
Haven’t had chicory coffee in a long time, I need to try it bulletproof style!
Megan Stevens says
Yes, that definitely takes it to a different level, all creamy, satisfying, and with a fine delicious foam.
Andy says
What brand do you use?
Megan says
Hi Andy, I just updated the links in the post, but here is the one I like best: https://amzn.to/2S9yQMh Thanks!
Carol Dye says
Do you have a recipe for making cold brew with chicory as the only ingredient?
Megan says
Hi Carol, I don’t know if it will work, but you could try a cold herbal infusion and see: Place loose chicory in quart size jar, fill with cold water and seal with lid. Infuse overnight. Strain in the morning.
Anna @GreenTalk says
I am not sure I will like it since I don’t like coffee. I have eaten products with it and it is hard on my stomach. I do like dandelion root. I wonder if burdock root can be used instead?
Megan Stevens says
It sounds like it’s not a good fit for you. Burdock would not stand on its own as well, although it’s good in blends.
Alyssa says
Anna, you could certainly make a dandelion roasted root coffee instead if that agrees with you!!
Elaina Newton says
I need to try this soon. I loved the chicory coffee at Cafe du Monde when I was there in February. 🙂
Megan Stevens says
Aw, fun memory!!
linda spiker says
Loving these healthier morning brews!
Megan Stevens says
Yes, so many lovely ones. Me too. I love my hot cup often more than the delicious food, because they’re so restful, warming, soothing.
Kara Wolf says
I don’t know anything about chicory but I’m assuming it does not contain acid since that is what causes most people with IC to be affected by coffee. Is that correct?
Deborah says
Is this coffee from chicory root acid free? Thank you!
Megan says
Hi Deborah, great question. The acidity of chicory varies from 5.90 to 6.05, so it is not an acidic food and considered fine for heartburn and similar symptoms.
Lizzie says
The links do not take me to any chicory on amazon. I’m trying to find a good plain one as well because I ordered and tried a blend and realized it has barley in it, which I am not supposed to eat, so I assume a brew of it is not good either..
Megan says
Hi Lizzie, both of the links to chicory on Amazon work for me. Here it is again, if that’s helpful: https://amzn.to/2Imkram Yes, I had the same issue, needed to avoid barley. Blessings!
Deborah says
Thank you Megan for this recipe and all the information! I was looking into prebiotics and came across your chicory root recipe. It tastes amazingly like coffee to me. I added a little molasses and cream. I am looking forward to trying your other variations as well. Awesome and with so many healthy benefits it’s a no brainer!
Vikki says
I also love making a coffee substitute using chickory, dandelion, carob and 3 grams of coffee. But lately I’ve been having more aches and pains of the arthritis sort, which is unusual for me. Today I googled whether chickory has a high oxalate content and was surprised that it is considered ‘very high’. I only drink one 12 oz cup per day, but am going to experiment with using less chickory as it is considered ‘contra-indicated’ for people with arthritis or a tendency to form kidney stones, which are usually calcium oxalate.
Megan says
Hi Vikki, thanks for sharing your experience. I think you may have found information about chicory LEAF, not roasted chicory root? Can you provide a link to the information you found? Thank you!
Lori says
Can I just add some powder to my already made cup of coffee or do I have to brew it?
Megan says
Hi Lori, it needs to steep like tea or coffee. If you grind it to a powder in your coffee grinder, it could be stirred in, but would still need a little brewing time.
Jean Finch says
Thanks for pointing out that chicory is good all by itself! I had been mixing with dandelion root! Now I serve each one separately with coconut oil collagen and butter!
Megan says
Yay, terrific! So glad to hear. That idea was new to me too, so I also was surprised and pleased! Your hot drink sounds delicious!
Nancy says
I just recently tried chicory root as a coffee substitute and I agree that it tastes very similar. I noticed that you either make it in a french press or boil it in a pot. Have you tried just doing a pour-over in a filter? That’s how I have made it (prior to seeing your method) and it’s pretty good. I will try the pot method though, but am wondering if there is any reason why you don’t pour through a filter. Not as good?
Megan says
Good question. I just find that the longer steeping yields a stronger cup, which I like, but I do filter it after it steeps.
Nancy says
Thanks! I too prefer a stronger cup and will try it that way.
Megan says
Great. 🙂