Instant chicory: how to prepare a healthy drink

Chicory has long been known as a coffee substitute. But again: if previously they drank it mainly because there was no normal coffee in our stores, now they drink it with pleasure and out of love. chicory coffee migrated to shelves with a “status” assortment.

The choice of drinks based on chicory is large, and in order to improve and enrich the taste, manufacturers produce instant chicory with various additives - sea buckthorn, lingonberries, blueberries, cinnamon, rose hips. There is packaged chicory - it can be brewed as tea, and there is chicory .

Polina Vlasova , build editor gastronom.ru : “I drink chicory because it has no caffeine. And together with cream and sugar, it tastes like coffee or cocoa, which I love, but due to my poor tolerance to caffeine, I can’t drink.”

Elena Ilyina , head of the naming department at Lexica : “I drank chicory before because everyone around me was talking about the benefits of the drink. I even tried to give it to my child. But chicory coffee didn’t catch on with me; it doesn’t have the same richness of taste as coffee, it doesn’t invigorate and doesn’t create a soulful atmosphere. When they started making chicory coffee with various additives, my confidence in it diminished and, sacrificing the benefits, I returned to natural coffee.”

What is chicory coffee substitute?

Chicory powder is a coffee drink similar to instant espresso. It is added to chocolate and other confectionery products, and also brewed with boiling water and drunk as an analogue of grain tonic.

A reddish-brown powder is obtained from the dried and baked root of a perennial plant of the Asteraceae family, familiar to everyone, since chicory grows everywhere in fields, courtyards and forests on any, even sandy, soils. There are different types of plants - wild and cultivated for industrial purposes. Edible chicory is grown on a large scale to make a medicinal drink that is quite tasty.

For many hundreds of years, chicory has been known in folk medicine as a remedy that stimulates the liver and digestive system. Research on the drink, comparing its properties and benefits with natural coffee, is still being carried out to this day. Today, the root is considered harmless, and its main advantage is the absence of caffeine in the composition. Chicory-based drinks are included in the diet of people suffering from hypertension, acidity imbalance, as well as vegetarians.

What is chicory?

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been familiar with chicory since childhood - a liquid, instant, dark brown drink that my grandmother often made for herself (as a light healthy snack) and treated me to. However, to be more precise, chicory is a plant with cute little blue flowers, and what is sold in a jar is already an extract prepared from the root of the plant. By the way, in addition to the liquid form, you can find powdered chicory (also soluble) and ground chicory (brewed) on sale. When purchasing, pay attention to the composition - choose only a natural extract without additives, dyes or taste improvers, otherwise you risk purchasing an absolutely useless product (or even harmful).

Contraindications

Despite the fact that the drink contains a number of healthy substances, there are contraindications and restrictions for its use. It should not be taken by people who suffer from:

• allergic manifestations;
• central nervous system disorders;
• asthma;
• diabetes.

Also, people who are losing weight should not drink kvass in uncontrolled quantities, since it contains yeast that causes fermentation.

The product may cause complications if you have venous disease or hemorrhoids.

Kvass gives strength, but do not forget that it contains a small proportion of alcohol, so it should not be given to children, pregnant women, or patients with liver and kidney diseases.

Contraindications for use

Despite its many beneficial properties, chicory is not suitable for everyone and has a number of contraindications:

• Peptic ulcer of the intestines and stomach, gastritis during exacerbation;
• Asthenic and epileptic syndrome;
• Hemorrhoids, gout, varicose veins;
• Combination with beta blockers aimed at lowering blood pressure is unacceptable;
• Infectious diseases of the genitourinary organs.

The effect on blood pressure depends on the dosage and individual characteristics of the body. Therefore, hypertensive and hypotensive patients should consult a doctor before taking chicory.

Side effects manifest themselves in the form of increased heart rate, skin flushing, allergic rashes, and breathing problems. With excessive consumption, nausea, heartburn, headache, and increased acidity in the stomach are observed. Exceeding the dosage leads to diarrhea and significant dehydration.

It should be remembered that chicory is primarily a medicinal plant, and it should be taken with caution, having first consulted with a herbalist.

What does instant chicory taste like?

The taste of a solution of chicory root, used instead of coffee, is similar to something between herbal tea and golden-brown baked goods with a crust; it has a roasted smell with notes of bitterness and sweetness, without acid. It only vaguely resembles coffee aroma, but can replace a harmful tonic in the diet.

Chicory is drunk instead of coffee with various additives to improve taste:

• with honey and sugar;
• spices - cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, star anise;
• carob, cocoa or coffee;
• slices of lemon or orange;
• caramel, chocolate and nut syrup.

It is recommended to avoid combination with natural milk and give preference to plant-based options - almond, soy. You can add butter or coconut oil to your drink to enrich and enhance its medicinal properties.

The effect of chicory on the human body

Chicory officinalis is simply a storehouse of vitamins and nutrients. Nutrients and minerals strengthen the immune system, prevent blood clots, slow down the aging process and prevent the development of cancer.

Chicory has astringent, choleretic, wound healing and sedative effects. It helps you feel great. Long-term, and most importantly, regular use will help put the kidneys, heart, brain, liver in order, as well as establish proper metabolism.

Why chicory is valuable: the benefits and harms of the product

They started using chicory instead of coffee for a reason. If grain extract is prohibited for medical reasons, the beneficial properties of the field plant will help replace it and even alleviate the illness. An infusion of flowers and roots is drunk for digestive problems, to fight parasites, for anemia, and also to strengthen the immune system and nervous system. The healing effect of the root extends to many systems in the body:

• Chicory does not contain caffeine, so it does not lead to painful arousal, pressure surges and arrhythmia. It is used for hypertension, heart disease, during stress and overwork.
• Important B vitamins and microelements increase defenses and normalize metabolism, promoting the breakdown of adipose tissue.
• The composition contains inulin, a polysaccharide that regulates glucose concentration, helps control hunger, and reduce blood sugar levels. It is useful for diabetes and for weight loss.
• Chicory also stimulates liver function, bile flow, and promotes the elimination of toxins due to its bitterness.
• It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects and supports the fight against parasites.
• Thanks to the iron, calcium and manganese that the plant contains, it is involved in hematopoiesis, increases hemoglobin levels, and accelerates healing processes.
• The potassium content improves kidney function and promotes the elimination of excess fluid.
• Vitamins A and C help maintain healthy blood vessels and heart.

Chicory is prepared instead of coffee or as an original infusion to normalize sleep, during a stressful period, when you need to reduce the load on the heart and nerves, during pregnancy and lactation. It is recommended for diabetes, atherosclerosis, and on diets for weight loss and cleansing the body. It has a positive effect on the health of skin and hair, maintains normal acid-base balance in the mouth, and does not destroy tooth enamel.

There is practically no harm from the root. Contraindications include:

• individual intolerance and allergy to asteraceae;
• acute diseases of the stomach and intestines;
• hypotension, varicose veins and other cardiovascular diseases associated with low blood pressure;
• renal failure.

In such cases, you should drink the drink in moderation, strictly monitoring your health.

Chicory is introduced instead of coffee into the diet of children, old people, pregnant women, during fasting, and on diets. It can also be included in sports nutrition and during an active lifestyle - it does not disrupt electrolyte metabolism, does not retain moisture in the body and does not overload the heart and muscles.

Instant chicory drink

Instant chicory is an excellent substitute for natural coffee and does not contain caffeine. Each granule contains a large amount of minerals and vitamins. For coffee lovers who are unable to drink it due to health problems, chicory has become a real salvation.

Consumption of cow's milk with chicory is not recommended due to the poor compatibility of these two products. It is better to add plant-based dairy products to the drink, which can be selected to suit your taste in any supermarket.

How to prepare chicory, improving its taste without losing its medicinal and preventive properties?
The drink is prepared in the same way as coffee. A few spoons of powder are poured into boiling water, and after one or two minutes the drink can be consumed. Cooking in a cezve takes a little longer. Pour one teaspoon of the product with water and bring to a boil. Add honey and lemon to taste. To avoid moisture ingress and the formation of lumps, the jar of chicory should always be tightly closed.

A drink with rose hips is useful for vigor and increased efficiency. Adding blueberries to the drink will improve vision and renew the retina. Relieves eye strain and fatigue when working on a computer.

Ginseng root, together with chicory, is beneficial for men's health. Reduces the risk of developing malignant tumors, actively fights viruses, including herpes, and prevents diseases such as atherosclerosis and senile dementia.

The benefits of chicory and how it is prepared for weight loss are of interest to many who want to lose weight. It is not difficult to prepare: one teaspoon of the ground product is poured into a bowl and boiled for five minutes in half a liter of water. The drink is cooled and filtered. You need to drink it for one or two months, half a glass three times a day.

Pectins, which are part of the plant, effectively reduce appetite and prolong the feeling of fullness. As a means of getting rid of extra pounds, it gives positive results only in combination with diet and sports exercises.

Fans of sports such as bodybuilding often use chicory as a flavoring addition to protein shakes. It not only gives drinks a pleasant coffee taste, but also enhances the beneficial properties of proteins.

Which is healthier: real coffee or chicory?

Many people wonder whether root extract can replace coffee in terms of health benefits and how they differ from chicory. The main difference is the presence of caffeine and theobromine in sweet beans, while they are not present in the field plant. Otherwise, the composition does not make much difference: chicory contains sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, vitamins B, A, C and PP, as well as bitter and tannin compounds.

Coffee is distinguished by a soft, non-herbaceous bitterness, noble shades of chocolate, nuts and fruits in the flavor and aromatic bouquet, pronounced sourness and thickness. Chicory does not have such an organoleptic palette - it is almost completely dissolved in water, does not leave sediment or a long aftertaste.

The main differences between the drinks are:

• coffee raises blood pressure and stimulates the heart, has an antioxidant effect, promotes concentration, improves body odor;
• chicory - relaxes and dilates blood vessels, fights parasites, stimulates the liver;
• both drinks support the excretory system, normalize acidity, and promote bodily cleansing.

It is impossible to say unequivocally which is better: coffee or a drink made from chicory; they are not equivalent in their properties and are noticeably different. Doctors advise alternating both drinks in your menu and taking into account individual indications. If, due to the condition of the patient’s liver or kidneys, a chicory drink is not suitable, they offer cereal options or carob.

Indications and contraindications

Benefits of chicory

Thanks to such a rich composition, chicory has a wide spectrum of action:

• Helps cleanse the liver and normalize its function. The results of recent studies have shown that the plant is even capable of restoring the cells of this organ;
• improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system and renews blood composition;
• normalizes digestion;
• stabilizes the functioning of the nervous system;
• has a laxative, diuretic and restorative effect;
• due to its antacid and anti-inflammatory properties, it helps with sunburn, cuts and in the fight against acne;
• reduces menstrual pain;
• blocks the development of yeast infections;
• helps with joint diseases - rheumatism and arthritis;
• improves calcium absorption;
• removes waste, toxins and other harmful substances;
• folic acid helps restore skin elasticity and prevents the occurrence of cellulite;
• increases attention and overall tone;
• chicory is indicated as a coffee substitute for people with caffeine intolerance, problems with the nervous system and high blood pressure;
• in modern dietetics it is indispensable as an aid to weight loss processes due to its ability to suppress appetite.

Possible harm

Like any medicinal plant, chicory also has contraindications. Drinks made from it are strictly not recommended for the following groups of people:

• with individual intolerance;
• during treatment with antibiotics;
• those suffering from urolithiasis, varicose veins, bronchial asthma, hemorrhoids;
• for diseases of the digestive system and liver, especially during exacerbations;
• during depression, insomnia, stress.

Cautions

It is not advisable to make your own drink from crushed root, since some varieties may not be edible. It is better to buy a ready-made “coffee substitute” or grow cultivated types of grass on your site.

You should not abuse chicory instead of strong coffee. You can drink 4-6 cups per day, which is approximately equal to 2 servings of espresso. If the drink is drunk every day, then it is undesirable to exceed the dose of 3-4 servings. It is also important how much raw material is taken per cup - you should not exceed the limit of 1-2 teaspoons.

Excessive consumption can cause nausea, heartburn, low blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances, diuretic effect, pain in the gall bladder, and general malaise.

To understand how many calories are in a drink, you need to:

• count the number of spoons of sugar - 20-25 kcal in one;
• add the calorie content of used milk - approximately 10 kcal in 20 ml of cow's milk;
• take into account other additives - syrups, oils.

Chicory itself contains only 11 kcal per 100 g of dry raw material, so you can ignore it when calculating - there will be no harm to your figure.

Recipes for drinks with chicory

Instant freeze-dried chicory is sold in stores. If desired, this concentrate can be mixed with natural or instant coffee.

If you want to prepare chicory yourself, you need to dig up the roots in early spring or late autumn and wash them thoroughly. Then cut into small slices crosswise and dry in the oven at +60 °C.

Dried root pieces are fried, stirring constantly, in a dry frying pan until they acquire a rich brown color. During roasting, chicoreol essential oil is formed, the smell of which is similar to the aroma of coffee. Roasted chicory is ground in a coffee grinder and stored in a hermetically sealed jar.

To prepare the drink, pour 2 teaspoons of powder into a glass of water, boil over low heat for 3-5 minutes and leave for another 5 minutes, covered with a lid. The finished broth should be strained. You can add honey, orange or apple juice.

Chicory coffee with milk

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp. freeze-dried chicory;
• 70–100 ml hot water;
• 50 ml milk;
• sugar - to taste.

Recipe:

1. Pour the chicory and sugar into a cup.
2. Pour in some boiling water and stir vigorously.
3. Add the rest of the water.
4. Whip the milk until foamy and pour into a cup.

Root collection period

If you grow chicory purposefully, then sow the crop at the end of May. The soil is loosened and a depression is made. Between rows you need to maintain a distance of 35 - 40 cm, and between seeds - 15 cm.

Before seeds germinate, watering and weed removal are carried out. If the soil dries out, it is loosened. In order for chicory to develop better, you can water the soil with a complex fertilizer consisting of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. After a month, fertilizing is repeated. This amount is enough for the root system to develop well.

You can dig up rhizomes from mid-September. To do this, choose dry weather. It is better to use a pitchfork so as not to damage the roots with the tip of the shovel. At this point, it is recommended to prepare seedlings for seeds. For this:

• are selected .

• Treat with a solution of potassium permanganate, then dry.

• Place in a box with sand, which will be in a cool room - preferably in a cellar.

Seedlings are planted in March.

Video: Harvesting chicory from digging to brewing

In July you can start harvesting stems, leaves and flowers. They are cut and laid out to dry in a well-ventilated place with moderate humidity. You can check readiness by breaking the shoots. If they crumble easily, you can grind and pack the raw materials in a clothes bag.

Interesting recipes: how to brew chicory instead of coffee

If you can’t use coffee brew or don’t want to spend money, it is replaced with “golden root”. Here's how to make chicory coffee - basic recipe:

• take 1.5 tsp. dry raw materials per cup 200 ml;
• pour boiling water over it;
• Stir thoroughly and leave for 6-10 minutes.

After settling, the drink becomes better and tastier; there is no need to boil the mixture. When pouring warm and cool water, you need to infuse longer and stir the liquid. If you take chicory barley, you can increase the portion to 2 tablespoons, since the pure root is more bitter, and the cereal drink turns out softer and more aromatic - the difference is noticeable. Adding grains does not detract from the benefits of the infusion.

Additives to chicory prepared instead of coffee

Lovers of healthy drinking can add any additives to their portions:

• Diabetics and those on a weight loss diet are allowed to use honey - ½ or a whole spoon per cup.
• If regular sugar is not enough, the cane version will improve the flavor, and caramel topping or burnt sugar syrup will also work.
• You can diversify the aroma with cocoa powder, carob, chocolate syrup, nut liqueur, and vanilla extract.
• For special gourmets, there is an option with spices: cinnamon, nutmeg - on the tip of a spoon, lemon or orange zest (you can take 1-2 drops of essential oil), cardamom - 1 box or even half a cup.
• You can soften the texture and extinguish the bitterness with creamy ingredients. Experts recommend plant-based milk - made from almonds, soy, and wheat.

The proportions - how much of what to take - are chosen according to taste. If you focus on coffee, instead of which chicory is chosen, all doses should be slightly smaller, since the “golden root” is not so thick and intense in strength.

Root coffee with burnt sugar (caramelized syrup) is considered the most beneficial combination among other warm cocktails.

How to make an invigorating shot

Many people have heard that chicory is used instead of coffee, but not everyone knows that both components can be combined. For better aroma, you can sprinkle the portion with a pinch of ground coffee or make a mix of instant ingredients. This will reduce the strength and prevent the drink from increasing blood pressure too much, but will give it an invigorating effect. You can drink this infusion 2-4 times a day, depending on your health condition.

Chicory goes well with baked goods and fruit desserts, it can be drunk at any time of the day - for breakfast or an afternoon snack it will help tone the body, at lunch and dinner it will support digestion and will not interfere with sleep.

Try something new - the difference in taste may turn out to be insignificant, and the improvement in well-being will be a pleasant incentive to add chicory to your menu.

Chicory recipes

Chicory decoction for weight loss is prepared as follows:

• 2 tbsp. add a glass of water to the crushed plant;
• bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 10-20 minutes;
• remove from heat and leave for an hour;
• strain.

To speed up weight loss, you can add ginger to chicory - it has an excellent ability to burn fat. To do this, add a very thin slice of ginger to the drink, then let the mixture brew for several minutes.

You should not expect an immediate effect when consuming chicory. Working on yourself and your body is a long process. So you should be patient and systematically move towards your distant or not very, but so desired goal.

Chicory salad and its photo

The classic salad chicory, which is called witloof in Europe, has smooth, dense, crunchy leaves, they form a small pointed head (“chicon”) and have a refreshing bitter taste. Moreover, the greener the leaves, the stronger the bitterness. Chicory lettuce is forced and bleached for an early spring harvest. You can grow red chicory, called redicchio, and non-forcing varieties for use in mid to late winter. Look at the chicory salad in the photos presented on this page:

Store chicory in black plastic bags in the refrigerator to keep it away from light, which can increase bitterness. Use the buds as soon as possible, but they may still sit for a few days. Varieties not intended for forcing last a little longer.

Homemade preparations

The greatest pleasure can be obtained if you collect and prepare chicory roots for coffee yourself. The maximum benefit in the roots occurs in early spring or late autumn, when the top has already withered. Then the root gains the greatest number of vitamins and minerals.

To get chicory roots without any problems, you need to soak the ground or wait for heavy rain.

It is much easier to get the root on soft soil; you can simply try to pull it out with your hands, but it is better to use a small spatula.

The extracted root must be washed and dried, and then continued harvesting at home. At home, the root must go through several stages of processing:

1. Peeling (remove the top part slightly);
2. Slicing (make small pieces);
3. Frying (first place the chicory in the oven for several hours at 150 degrees, then fry in a dry frying pan over low heat until fragrant);
4. Grinding (send the fried pieces into a coffee grinder until dusty crumbs appear).
5. Close the workpiece in a jar and place it in a dark place.

You can store crushed chicory roots for up to six months. This will provide you with good coffee throughout the winter until the onset of spring - the new harvest.