Chicory Coffee | Caffeine free coffee substitute
Coffee alternatives that is not matcha
Welcome to my substack 👋. I'm Christina. I am a certified Health Coach & Nutritional Therapist with an MSc in Clinical Nutrition. I help parents nourish their families. In this newsletter, I share healthy recipes and wellness tips.
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I have another alternative ingredient that you might enjoy and want to experiment with: chicory coffee.
A few days ago, I noticed I was feeling significantly more fatigued by day's end, attributing it to my increased coffee consumption. The continuous caffeine stimulation was significantly affecting me, to the extent that I felt like going to bed as early as 6 pm. So, I decided to find an alternative that I would enjoy and that wouldn't have the same effect as caffeine.
I've also received requests for coffee alternatives, and I found one: Chicory Coffee! If you're seeking coffee substitutes or alternatives, you're in the right place.
In this article, I'll take you through what chicory coffee is, its health benefits, and what you should be aware of. Additionally, I'll show you how to make black chicory coffee and chicory latte at the end of this piece.
What is Chicory?
Chicory is a beautiful plant with bright blue flowers. In fact, the coffee is made from the roots of this flower. The root is minced, roasted, and brewed into coffee.
Chicory is popular in Egypt and is commonly added to coffee in France. If you've ever been to New Orleans, you're likely familiar with its taste, as it's also popular there.
Chicory is becoming increasingly popular as it tastes just like coffee, making it a great alternative for our favorite drink without the effects of caffeine.
Health Benefits of Chicory Coffee
Chicory contains some key nutrients such as fiber, vitamin C, and manganese. According to healthline.com chicory contains inulin, a type of prebiotic fiber that has been linked to increased weight loss and improved gut health, which is linked with good health. There is also research that shows that inulin helps manage blood sugar levels by affecting the way that carbohydrates are metabolized.
Inflammation is the root of a lot of health benefits and chicory is a great source of plant polyphenols that combat inflammation. A study that took place at the University of Pecs Medical School in Hungary found that drinking naturally caffeine-free chicory coffee for a week improved red blood cell deformation, meaning that cells were restored to their original state (source 1).
Chicory coffee is naturally caffeine-free, which means that it creates less stress. High amounts of caffeine have been linked with anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia.
Word of Caution
Chicory coffee is not recommended for everyone as it can trigger allergic reactions in some people (source 2) and is also not recommended for pregnant women as it may trigger miscarriage and menstrual bleeding (source 3).
How to Make Chicory Coffee
In Greece, it was not that easy to get my hands on chicory coffee I have to say. However, I did manage to find a brand that had a blend available. As a result, I got this instant blend by Korres. Korres is a natural product brand.
This blend is a mix of barley, malt, and chicory. It tastes really good, just like coffee and we have at large replaced most of our coffee drinks with this blend.
Hot Black Chicory Coffee
To make hot black chicory coffee, add a tsp of chicory in a cup, and just a bit of hot water. Whisk for a few seconds and then fill up with more hot water.
Cold Black Chicory Coffee
To make cold black chicory coffee, add a tsp of chicory in a glass, and just a bit of cold water. Whisk for a few seconds and then fill up with more cold water and ice cubes.
You can always add sugar and milk as you prefer.
Hot Chicory Latte
For the latte, add a tsp of chicory in a cup, and just a bit of hot water. Whisk for a few seconds and then fill up halfway with hot water. Warm the milk of your choice, whisk to create foam, and then add to the cup.
Cold Chicory Latte
In a glass add a tsp of chicory blend and a bit of cold water. Use an electric hand whisk to blend water with coffee. Add a few ice cubes and fill up with cold water halfway. Then whisk your milk (cold) as well to create the foam. Add it to your glass and there you have it! A delicious cold chicory latte.
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