It's quite pricey and doesn't taste exactly like coffee, but comes close enough so that even coffee lovers agree that it's the closest alternative.
Apparently chicory root was known and used for its healthy properties already by the ancient Egyptians and Romans. It contains a lot of vitamins, minerals and a prebiotic inulin and is supposed to help digestion, calm your nerves, strengthen your immune system, regulate glucose levels and especially as a coffee substitute, has cardiovascular benefits, too.
You may want to give it a try!
Thanks for sharing. I was thinking about replacing coffee with something healthier but nothing tastes extraordinary. Inka and other soluble drinks are too bitter, I'll try your alternative, it seems to be the best option.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! I often mix it with cocoa powder, add some sugar and milk + boiling water, it tastes really good. It's not coffee though, but since I can't tolerate caffeine even in small amounts (had trouble with decaf coffee if I drank too much of it) it comes off handy for me.
ReplyDeleteThe only problem is that pure chicory root is expensive, I've seen it sold mixed with roasted barley powder. Never tried that one.
Decaf is indeed problematic. I'll give chicory a try after I finish the huge coffee package I bought last week. :)))This is the only unhealthy thing I have been tolerating in my diet deliberately because I love the smell of fresh coffee and I need something strong in the morning.
ReplyDeleteI don't think coffee is particularly unhealthy if you don't drink too much of it, it's just that I can't tolerate it, unfortunately. Chicory isn't really going to give you a kick in the morning, though. May be, you should try strong tea?
ReplyDeleteIn the U.S.A. I use Pero brand chicory "coffee." I believe another brand here is Roma. I really like it. Sarah
ReplyDeleteMine comes from France and it's the only one pure chicory root coffee I could find.
ReplyDeleteDuring the war when coffee was reasoned people had all sorts of "fake coffees". Some of them where made of roasted dandelion roots, some of roasted barley. Chicory root was also used.
ReplyDeleteI have never really seen the point. If there is no coffee available, why bother trying to make fake coffee? Why in earth they did not drink herbal teas? There are plenty of plants one can use to make most delicious herbal infusions -for free.
BTW, when it comes to herbal drinks and such, there are always so much claims how healthy it is. But concidering the very small amount of herb one a) uses for infusion and b) ends in the water you actually drink, I would not pay too much attention to those health benefits.
Of course some of them DO work, at least according to my experience. For example birch leaf tea is calming and sedative -but you cannot drink it too much, it can damage your kidneys. Lemon balm is also calming and sedative and safer.
I guess folks grow accustomed to taste of coffee, because it does taste nice. Herbal teas definitely work and it's true that one shouldn't overuse them. I mostly opt for warm water with honey/molasses these days. However, I've been wondering lately whether our collective addition to stimulants such as coffee is really beneficial in the long run.
ReplyDeleteWell, addiction is always a weakness. I am totally out of order if I cannot have my morning mug of dark roasted arabica. I drink that one mug per day, but it is essential. ;) And then tea after lunch and dinner.
ReplyDeleteOf course it would be better not to be addicted to anything, but then again, we are just humans. :)
Have you tried hot berry juice? Blackcurrant is especially very nice. Or then one can put one spoonful of berry or fruit jam to hot water. That is also very nice. Russians usually drink their tea with raspberry jam so we once had just hot water and jam, since we were at our cottage and forgot to bring tea with us...
Hot berry juice? I don't think I would care for it, I prefer cold drinks cold, so to say. And I like my jam on toast, but thanks for the suggestions anyway:)
ReplyDeleteIn New Orleans, at Café du Monde, one can get coffee mixed with chicory; it imparts a richness to the coffee, yet makes it a bit milder.
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