Chicory Root: An Underrated Functional Food
The root of the blue-flowered chicory plant is beloved in French artisanal coffee culture, where it has been blended with coffee since the trade blockades of the Napoleonic Wars. It was through this influence that it became a staple ingredient in instant coffee preparations like SA's own Ricoffy.
Despite its ubiquity, few people are aware of how delicious chicory can be as a beverage on its own, and fewer still know of the abundant research on chicory's broad health benefits. In the scientific community, chicory is best known as the original prebiotic, but more recent studies indicate that it can enhance sleep and reduce the impact of chronic sleep deprivation. Compounds in chicory root also causes the bacteria in your gut to produce more short-chain fatty acids, which in turn modulate gene expression in the brain, bringing about beneficial effects on cognition and motivation.
Consumed on its own, roasted chicory makes for a delicious caffeine-free stand-in for coffee. Its pleasantly bitter, slightly nutty flavour, while unique to the discerning palette, is similar enough to coffee that many can't tell the difference, so you can enjoy the ritual of coffee by day or night without worrying about the impact on your nervous system or your sleep cycle.
Chicory Drink
150g
Your hearty, anytime,
caffeine-free coffee alternative
- Tastes like coffee, zero caffeine
- Enhances sleep
- Instant! Just add hot water.
- Supports gut health & digestion
100% Roasted Chicory · Single Origin · Vegan
Pair it with Chicocoa — save 20% with our Ritual Starter Pack →What our customers say
I usually buy 3 bags at a time, and it is a great alternative to Coffee, which has caffeine in it. This Chicory drink has no caffeine, so is healthier to drink for me. Caffeine has side effects such as constipation and also hyping me up. It is good quality and one soon gets used to it after ceasing to drink Coffee. I have to strain it through a fine sieve because it has got grouts at the bottom of the cup. A tea strainer is fine.
It's tastes great, just use a strainer to strain the granules out.
Great tasty coffee alternative. Made in a plunger is how I like to do it. It is a diuretic so will make you go to the loo if you drink too much.
Delicious product as a coffee alternative. I also appreciate that it is loose and not packaged in individual bags for steeping.
The caffeine in coffee keeps me up all night. This is a fantastic coffee alternative which tastes just like coffee.
I was getting headaches when drinking coffee in the morning and decided to try chicory and am so happy that I did! I love it! It tastes like a very mild coffee and I don't mind that it's a bit grainy at all. Love that it also has all these health benefits. 10/10 recommend
I'm so glad to have found a great tasting coffee substitute. It's not only delicious but soothing and healing for the digestive system.
This is a great alternative to coffee!
Has a good strong flavour. I enjoy having a cup in the evening when winding down. I believe the bitterness helps digestion, too.
Love that it tastes alot like coffee without any harm!
Strong yet great tasting chicory. I make mine in the plunger so that my drink isn't grainy and it works so well!
Healthy for the body! Tastes great.
I love this so much! Tastes like coffee and smells like coffee minus the kick of caffeine. AND it is nice and strong!
The best cuppa to drink daily… and it's healthy for the body! Tastes great & does not come with moody highs & lows like normal coffee.
Love having an early evening cup of coffee, however it elevates my heart beat. This is a lovely alternative.
Great alternative to coffee, without the caffeine. The perfect afternoon coffee replacement that doesn't impact 8 hours uninterrupted sleep.
This Ancient Roots Chicory is fantastic!! If you are avoiding caffeine but still want that taste of coffee, this product has you covered. I add one heaped tablespoon of chicory to my coffee plunger along with 1/2 tablespoon of chaga powder, and this gives me a seriously good and strong cup of "coffee".
A lovely rich warm drink.
It's not also a caffeine free coffee but a detoxifier. Wow!!
Great tasting chicory drink. I sometimes crave something warm to drink in the evening and this is a great substitute for coffee since it does not contain caffeine. I have ordered it multiple times now.
Would recommend this to anyone having a reaction to caffeine. I can now drink more than a cup a day, as I no longer get headaches, heart palpitations or anxiety like when I used to drink coffee. The taste is great.
Very strong coffee, delicious. I drink with honey and almond/rice milk.
Love the taste and it is economical as you only need a small amount.
I don't know how else to explain the taste — it feels sacred, as if I'm about to start a plant medicine ceremony. It just invokes those feelings for some reason. I'm loving the taste, I specifically got it for its high inulin content.
Hits the spot for a chicory lover! I use it with a strainer. I highly recommend this product ☕
Great flavour. Love that it reseals to keep freshness.
Great tasting chicory. Tried many and this one by far is the best tasting coffee substitute.
I wanted to cut back on coffee, and this is so much more flavourful than store-bought chicory drinks. And this does not have the added glucose or a percentage of coffee that many other brands have. It's pure, clean chicory.
New regular. The strength and fulfillment of coffee without the worry of my anxiety prone gut. Far richer and fuller than the tea-bag chicory I used to drink. There are some chicory root debris that float around, but all the better for it.
Cool that it's a powder. It's nice not to have it in "tea" bags because I like it stronger and usually have to use two bags. I also don't have to wait for it to steep anymore! There are a few small grains, which don't bother me because it is absolutely deeeee-lish. So nice with oat milk too!
The famed Café du Monde in New Orleans, where chicory-blended coffee has been served since 1862
Did you know?
Studies have found that the compounds in chicory can improve gut flora composition, decrease intestinal permeability (make your gut less leaky), reduce GI symptoms, and even reduce rashes and respiratory infections.
HOW IT FITS INTO YOUR DAY
- As a Drink that Doesn't Add to the Afternoon Jitters
- For a Calming Sip before Bed
- For Natural Gut Support
- As a Supportive Ritual, Not a High before a Crash
The Test of Time
Chicory root was used to treat digestive disorders in many systems of ancient medicine. It had a whole page dedicated to its uses in De Materia Medica, a 1st-Century Greek text that was the preeminent herbal encyclopaedia in Europe for over a thousand years.
The oldest surviving copy of De Materia Medica was made in the year 512 for Juliana Anicia, daughter of Roman Emperor Olybrius.
The O.G. Digestive Supplement
The inulin (not to be confused with insulin) in chicory was the first substance to be classified as a prebiotic.
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How to Make a Perfect Cup
Ancient Roots Chicory Drink can be used to emulate any espresso-based drink. Add one teaspoon per cup, pour in freshly boiled water, and serve.
Enjoy it hot or iced, black or blended with any kind of milk or sweetener. Can also be prepared in a french press, moka pot, or espresso machine.
Ingredients: 100% Roasted Chicory Root
| Typical Nutritional Information | Per 100g | Per single serving (3g) |
|---|---|---|
| Energy (kJ) | 1199 kJ | 36 kJ |
| Protein (g) | 5.1 g | 0.1 g |
| Glycaemic carbohydrate (g) | 68.5 g | 2 g |
| of which total sugar (g) | 11.2 g | 0.3 g |
| Total fat (g) | 0.4 g | 0 g |
| of which saturated fat (g) | < 0.1 g | 0 g |
| Dietary Fibre (g) | 18.3 g | 0.5 g |
| Total sodium (mg) | 242 mg | 7.2 mg |
Allergens: None
