Chicory coffee

[okra]

Our chicory has gone to seed and has produced lovely light blue flowers. They stand out not only because of their unusual colour but also because they are held aloft on stems that are about a metre high.

I think we will let them produce seed to collect and then we might try to make some caffeine free coffee substitute from the roots.

Apparently the roots are washed thoroughly, chopped and roasted at 180c for between 45 minutes and an hour whilst stirring occasionally. The roots are ready when there colour changes to darkish brown and become brittle but fragrant.

Once cooled, the roots are ground in a blender to the size of coffee granules and are used like any other beverage, using one teaspoon per cup of water.

Has anybody tried this and was it worth it?

[MKG]

Haven't tried it per se, but Camp Coffee (always loved that name ) is flavoured with chicory essence.

It's ... different.

Mike

[Green Aura]

Camp Coffee

Blimey, that takes me back a few years!

Never tried making chicory coffee but did dabble very briefly with dandelion. Disastrous

Good luck.

[niknik]

I don´tthik I´ve ever tried any, and have no desire to either, as everyone I know who has, says it´s vile........however, home made.well you might just love it!

Got to be worth a try at any rate!

[Penny Lane]

We used to buy chicory coffee from the health shop a few years ago. From what I remember it tasted ok... good luck roasting your own!

[scrap]

@ Richierobins...something like this?

Took the pic in a Belgian restaurant,only because Beukflaap sounds utterly hilarious in Dutch.
(And a couple of pints probably helped too... )

[wabbit955]

try it a few years back its not good yuck

keep to the lovely flowers
the bees love them

[godfreyrob]

Is it too late to sow it now?

[chickenchargrill]

I have July and August for growing chicory on my calendar - not grown it before though.