What is Chicory? – the Special Ingredient in New Orleans Style Coffee

Chicory has long been used as an alternative to coffee. Most New Orleans enjoy the combination of chicory and coffee and say the chicory compliments and mellows the bitter taste of regular coffee.

Chicory coffee looks the same when roasted and ground but has a hint of a chocolate aroma that is more alluring that regular coffee. It can taste quite different because of the amount of chicory added to the blend.

Many people say the best combination of chicory and coffee is often the traditional technique of the French, with a French coffee press. Can this really make a difference? Sure, there is a big difference when you choose among the various blends of chicory coffee and whether it is instant, French pressed or automatic drip. Most people who enjoy authentic chicory coffee will choose French pressed.

French pressed coffee is by far the strongest coffee. Chicory Coffee is made by placing the combination of coffee and water together in a French press machine and letting it brew for a while. Next you compress the plunger and force the chicory coffee grinds to the bottom of the French press.

The coffee grounds are in direct contact with the brewed water and the grounds are filtered in a way where the French press captures more of the chicory coffee flavor and essential oils.

You'll find that storefronts don't use the traditional French press these days. A quality chicory coffee blend, however, will still envelop your taste buds since it's a completely differently experience from regular coffee.

The history of adding chicory to coffee to augment the flavor began in the early 15th century. The tradition rapidly spread to the French, and became common in Europe because it was cheaper to combine the two ingredients.

As the French settled new colonies in New Orleans, they introduced this pleasing chicory coffee blend and it became quite popular. It is very much in style and can always be found in the French Quarter.

With its pleasing taste and aromatic qualities, chicory transforms your regular coffee into a beverage your taste buds will enjoy.