Why is chicory mixed with coffee in New Orleans?
I found myself sipping this strange coffee concoction for the first time when I moved to New Orleans, and I wondered, “why is chicory mixed with coffee.” Let’s look into what caused this and why you should try it.
Chicory has been consumed both been consumed in food and medicine for millennia, but it was the French in the 19th century that truly popularized the practice of mixing chicory into coffee blends to replicate the taste and aroma of coffee beans when coffee was in short supply and Chicory was plentiful. While originally Chicory was added to coffee as a filler in times struggle, it became a preferred flavor sought after around the world, especially where French influence spread such as New Orleans. In New Orleans this method was solidified into practice after coffee shortages during the Civil war, making Chicory Coffee a New Orleans staple to this day.
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What is chicory?
There are different types of Chicory grow around the world both as a crop for human consumption or for livestock feed. Chicory is a flowering plant usually with bright, multicolored leaves, but it usually the root which is used as an additive to coffee. It was originally native to Europe, but Chicory spread to the Americas, Asia, and other parts of the world. The plant is uprooted, cut, dried, and then roasted which creates the chicory we all know and love to be mixed into our coffee blends. When roasted it has a similar flavor to roasted coffee beans which is why it became such a popular additive in France during the Napoleonic period of struggle.
The history
Chicory became a popular additive during times of struggle such as wars, depressions, and supply shortages. Specifically, in the United States, it was used as a coffee filler and alternative during the Civil War and WWII. Popularity waned over time though, and this method became less predominate after WWII for most of the United States. However, prior to those recent surges in the United States, it was popularized as an additive by the French people who added it to their coffee during the Napoleonic, “Continental Blockade” which began in 1808. The French found it to be a suitable additive and replacement because when roasted it had a similar color and flavor to roasted coffee beans.
This way of making coffee spread around the world to French influenced cities such as New Orleans, where coffee is still served with Chicory as an additive due to the unique flavor and aroma that cannot be recreated with pure coffee beans alone. During the Civil war when the port of New Orleans was also blockaded many Southerners and New Orleanians again turned to Chicory root as the replacement for coffee beans, as Chicory could be easily grown in the wild. Today Chicory remains a popular additive to coffee in New Orleans, and if you are ordering a cup of hot coffee to eat with beignets, it is likely Chicory Coffee served as “café au lait,” meaning it is made with steamed milk.
Does chicory root coffee have health benefits?
I am not a medical doctor, and I do not claim o know of any actual medically proven or nutritional benefits. But I don’t want to leave you hanging here, so here is another great article that mentions some of the medical properties: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/chicory-root-fiber#_noHeaderPrefixedContent . You can also find more in the resources below.
How is chicory coffee best served?
If you order a coffee at a popular Beignet café such as Café Du Monde or Morning call, or at historic diners such as Camellia Grill, chances are they will serve you a blend of chicory coffee. The best and most popular way to drink it is actually not black, but as, “Café Au Lait,” meaning that it is served mixed with steamed or heated milk.
We recommend if you are making Chicory coffee at home, you should make it with a French Press, as it comes out with the right balance of strength and flavor this way. Many people simply make it as hot drip coffee which is also delicious, and a bit stronger if that’s how you take it. Historically, some folks have added spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, or star anise to enhance the flavor.
Is chicory coffee caffeinated?
It depends, but generally chicory root coffee by itself is not caffeinated. Some brands have products that are blends of chicory and regular caffeinated coffee that contain a light amount of caffeine. It is generally a best practice to examine the packaging for a caffeine warning.
The chicory plant itself is not caffeinated, so most blends of chicory coffee are made using a mix of decaffeinated coffee and chicory. You can find some blends that are made with caffeinated coffee; therefore, they do come with smaller amounts of caffeine than regular coffee depending on what proportions of the blends are chicory versus coffee. It’s usually around 20-40% of the amount of caffeine in a regular cup of joe.
Why should I try it?
The same reason you should try lost of things in your life, for the experience! First of all, it’s a great coffee substitute, and actually purchasing pure Chicory coffee or coffee blends can be much cheaper than buying regular coffee for those of you on a budget. Secondly, if you are in New Orleans, it’s definitely a necessity to make Coffee and Beignets a part of your trip.
Chicory Coffee is not unique to New Orleans, as the chicory plant has been used as an additive to coffee for centuries. However, if you live in the United States today, the main coffee brands that feature chicory are almost all made in New Orleans. These brands include:
Chicory became a popular additive during times of struggle such as wars, depressions, and supply shortages. Specifically in the United States, it was used a coffee filler during the Civil War and WWII.
Our Sources: Other Blogs & Websites
- https://www.communitycoffee.com/blog/detail/the-history-of-coffee-chicory
- https://orleanscoffee.com/how_to/what-is-chicory/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicory
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-chicory-766431
- https://www.huffpost.com/entry/this-is-what-chicory-is-and-why-it-sometimes-shows-up-in-coffee_n_55918228e4b081449b4c95ff
- https://brewsnblends.com/blogs/news/what-is-chicory-in-your-coffee
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