Chicory is entirely caffeine-free and non-stimulating, so it's more than safe to drink before bed. Research actually suggests that chicory can enhance sleep and offset the effects of chronic sleep deprivation.

The warning about our chicory that you’ll still find on some of our packaging regarding it not being recommended if you are "pregnant or breastfeeding" was over-generalised and should only have read "Not recommended if you are pregnant."

We added this warning because some very ancient (as in medieval European) medical manuscripts say that chicory can be used to bring about early menstruation or miscarriage (more on this below). Breastfeeding while consuming chicory poses no known risks, and chicory may actually be beneficial for lactation. In fact, chicory extract is included in many infant feeding formulas to help nourish the good bacteria in your baby's digestive system.

Regarding safety during pregnancy, from the perspective of modern science all we know is that chicory is a strong uterine stimulant, meaning that it could hypothetically cause early onset labour or miscarriage, similar to how drinking too much coffee in the first trimester can increase chances of miscarriage. Unlike coffee, in the case of chicory this connection has never been scientifically proven, which is why there are no guidelines on safe limits.

Though we are not scientists, it is our suspicion after extensive reading on the topic that such effects are more likely to be the result of consuming raw chicory (or a medieval decoction of raw chicory), which is much more bitter and potent (raw chicory root is quite disgusting), whereas our chicory powder is roasted.

Nonetheless we decided to err on the side of caution and keep the pregnancy warning on our packaging, knowing that any expecting mother would rather be aware of the slightest risk.

We don't sell directly online, but Ancient Roots product are sold through a number of online retailers. If you're looking to place a wholesale order, please submit an enquiry.

Prior to the collapse of the South African chicory production industry in 2024, we proudly sourced all our chicory from local farms. The decision of industry giant Nestlé — owner of Nescafé and Ricoffy — to switch to importing their chicory from abroad meant that South African chicory farms could no longer sustain themselves. Unable to find a good local producer, we went through a lengthy research process, ordering samples from many overseas producers and testing them head to head, until we settled on our current Indian import partners.

As of 2026 we have begun selling bulk chicory. Please reach out for pricing information.