How to properly collect and dry chicory root and flowers at home. Chicory: health benefits and harms How to make a drink from chicory root

Chicory has long been known as a coffee substitute. For those for whom coffee is contraindicated, drinks made from chicory root are quite suitable. However, even completely healthy people are recommended to add a little chicory to tea or coffee from time to time to increase appetite, improve digestion and eliminate the negative effects of stress.

Now chicory is very popular in many countries around the world as a tasty seasoning and healthy food product.

Coffee with the addition of crushed roasted chicory root has long been one of the favorite drinks of Europeans. A drink made from chicory root with the addition of milk or cream, as the most useful coffee substitute, is often included in the diet of both children and people who monitor their health or for whom coffee is contraindicated for health reasons.

In Estonia, chicory is used to make egg coffee. Fruit and berry tea is flavored with chicory. Also in Estonia, the roots are used to obtain inulin, fructose, and also for the production of alcohol (the alcohol yield from chicory is higher than from potatoes, and its quality is better). Chicory is especially valued in the diet of diabetics. Widely used in the food industry in the production of sweets and cakes.

Belgians bake chicory with cheese or with apples; Latvians often prepare a cold drink from chicory root with the addition of honey, lemon and apple juice.

From instant or roasted ground chicory, you can also prepare delicious restorative drinks that are useful for both adults and children.

As a seasoning, chicory can be added to various types of homemade baked goods to give it an exquisite coffee-nut taste, pleasant color and aroma (for this, instant or ground chicory should first be dissolved in a small amount of water or water with milk).

Chicory can be used to make salads. The chicory root is peeled and the main part of the core is cut out, since it contains the most bitterness. Then the chicory is cut into thin slices, mixed with chopped tomatoes, poured with vegetable oil and salted. The finished salad is seasoned with sugar and lemon juice. You can use peas instead of tomatoes. This salad goes well with herring. You can do things differently. Prepared as mentioned above, chicory roots are mixed with mayonnaise, salted, sugar is added and decorated with parsley.

Here are some recipes for simple and tasty chicory-based drinks:

Cold drink from chicory with orange

Boil water with chicory (or dilute the concentrate with boiling water), pour in orange syrup. After cooling, filter. Pour 3/4 glass or a glass of chicory drink per serving and add apple juice. You can attach a slice of orange to the edge of the glass.

Chicory drink with milk

One chicory boiled in water may not please everyone. The taste of the drink will improve if you add milk or cream and a little sugar.

Chicory tea

Pour 1 teaspoon of roots into 1/4 liter of cold water, bring to a boil and boil for about 2-3 minutes. Then filter. Natural honey is suitable as a sweetener.

Chicory has long been known in Europe and has gained popularity there. Excellent drinks are made from it. We invite you to prepare one of the most delicious drinks - the Dolce Vita drink using this excellent recipe.

Dolce Vita

Ingredients for the Dolce Vita drink: 4 teaspoons of sugar, 0.5 teaspoons of ground ginger, 5 teaspoons of chicory, 50 ml of egg liqueur, whipped cream to taste.

To prepare the Dolce Vita drink, put sugar in the cezve and heat over low heat until caramelized (the color of the sugar should turn light brown), pour in water (2 tablespoons), add ginger and boil for a minute (until syrup forms). Separately, brew the chicory to taste and mix with the prepared syrup. Pour the liqueur into tall glasses, then the chicory drink with syrup and garnish with whipped cream.

In Latvia, a very tasty cold drink is prepared from chicory.

Cold drink

Boil water with chicory (or dilute the concentrate with boiling water), add honey and stir until the honey is completely dissolved. Pour 3/4 glass or a glass of chicory drink per serving and add lemon juice. You can attach a slice of lemon to the edge of the glass.

For the body. In this article I will continue the topic of chicory: health benefits and harm, and I will give the most popular recipes based on the medicinal plant.

Benefits during pregnancy

The period of gestation is associated with increased work of all organs and systems. And no wonder, now the woman’s body ensures its vital functions and supports the intrauterine development of the unborn child.

Even if a woman was healthy before pregnancy, the risk of developing diseases increases several times. What to say if the expectant mother already had chronic illnesses. Therefore, nutrition and a proper lifestyle in an “interesting” situation are more important than ever.

A plant-based drink will help maintain the health of the woman and the child in her womb. Chicory has medicinal properties - improves the functioning of the kidneys and liver, promotes the removal of metabolic products from the body, and prevents the development of toxicosis. Anemia (anemia) often occurs during pregnancy, but chicory can also help with this problem. It contains iron, which is well absorbed in the digestive tract, and normalizes the functioning of the bone marrow to produce a sufficient number of red blood cells.

Weakening of the immune system during pregnancy can be prevented by regular consumption of the drink. The rich vitamin and mineral composition of the plant root strengthens the body's defenses and prevents infectious diseases. During pregnancy, it is extremely important for a woman to avoid infections and take medications so as not to harm the normal development of the baby.

It would take a long time to list the benefits of instant chicory during pregnancy. All its healing properties greatly facilitate the period of bearing a child: they reduce swelling, normalize appetite, prevent excess weight gain, improve sleep and mood. It is important that lovers of coffee and strong tea, which I do not recommend drinking during pregnancy, have something to replace their usual drinks with. Chicory is tasty, aromatic, healing, does not cause rhythm disturbances and maintains normal blood pressure.

Contraindications

We have already seen that chicory has a variety of healing properties. But every medicinal plant has contraindications. There are not many restrictions on the use of chicory drink, but they must be taken into account to prevent undesirable health consequences.

1. Phlebeurysm.

The components in the plant actively affect vascular tone, which can cause an increase in venous blood congestion. This applies to moderate and severe disease, when the functioning of the venous valves is significantly impaired or the valves no longer perform their function.

2. Obstructive bronchitis, bronchial asthma.

A drink based on chicory increases spasm of the smooth muscle muscles of the bronchi, which aggravates the course of obstructive respiratory diseases.

3. Tendency to allergic reactions.

Ascorbic acid in the plant can intensify allergic reactions. For allergic dermatitis, hay fever, and bronchial asthma, drinking the drink should be careful, no more than 1-2 times a week in the absence of clinical signs of allergy.

If you have contraindications to consuming chicory, but at the same time want to enjoy the aromatic drink, consult your doctor. A specialist will be able to correctly assess the severity of your condition and the health risks of regularly consuming chicory.

Recipes based on medicinal plants

After reviewing the topic of soluble chicory, beneficial properties and contraindications, we will move on to recipes.

In health food stores, tea and coffee departments, and pharmacies, you can buy instant chicory to make a flavorful drink. It is possible to prepare the powder from the root of the plant yourself at home. Which method should I choose? Decision is on you.

How to prepare instant chicory?

The benefits and harms of soluble chicory were covered earlier. And now you want to use it. It is sold in soft paper packaging, plastic and glass jars. All you need is to purchase the product in the store. This is an easy and quick way to prepare a drink.

1. Recipe No. 1. Soluble chicory in the amount of 0.5-1 teaspoon, pour 200 ml of hot water (but not boiling water), add a slice of lemon and honey to taste.
2. Recipe No. 2. Dissolve 0.5-1 teaspoon of chicory powder in a glass of boiling milk, remove from heat, add sugar or honey to taste. It should be borne in mind that milk contains calcium, which combines with iron and forms insoluble complexes with it. Therefore, it is better to use plant-based milk (for example, soy), especially for the prevention and treatment of anemia.

How to make a drink from ground chicory?

Ground roasted chicory is sold in stores. However, it can be prepared at home. This is a complex method that requires time and effort. But as a reward you will receive a natural product made with your own hands. As a bonus, confidence in the safe composition of the prepared raw materials.

Collect chicory root yourself or purchase it at the pharmacy. Rinse the rhizome under running water, dry, cut into small pieces. Fry the raw material until brown; during frying, you will feel an unpleasant odor due to the evaporation of the chicoriol substance. Grind the fried raw materials in a coffee grinder and prepare the soluble powder according to the recipe.

Chicory is a natural storehouse of nutrients. Drink an aromatic drink based on the root of the plant and be healthy.

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Even in ancient times, people recognized the benefits of chicory; it was used as an antidote to the bites of poisonous snakes and insects, and tinctures were prepared from it to treat the digestive system, joints and vision. Currently, chicory is widely used in medicine for metabolic disorders, obesity, diabetes, as well as nervous system disorders and urolithiasis. A coffee substitute is prepared from chicory root, and the leaves of the plant grown at home are used in cooking. How to collect and prepare chicory will be described below.

Common chicory is a common medicinal plant that grows on all continents of the globe. Chicory grows almost everywhere: along roads, in meadows, clearings, vacant lots, in gardens and vegetable gardens. Some gardeners began growing chicory not only for its medicinal qualities, but also for decorative purposes.

Rules for growing chicory

The crop is grown by seeds, which must be germinated before sowing. To do this, they are soaked in gauze and placed in any warm place for 2-3 days. It is better to sow chicory on the 20th of May.

The soil for sowing is prepared in advance: the ground is dug up and loosened, then the soil is compacted one centimeter deep with the help of a wooden batten and the seeds are sown in the resulting holes. The distance between rows should be at least 35 cm, and between seedlings approximately 12-15 cm.

How does chicory grow?

Before emergence, it is necessary to carry out regular watering, combined with loosening and weed removal. After the formation of the second and third leaves, the seedlings must be thinned out and fertilized with mineral fertilizers. To do this you will need to dilute the solution, for 1m2 you will need:

• ammonium nitrate – 10 g;
• potassium sulfate - 15 g;
• superphosphate – 30 g.

After a month, feeding is repeated. You should start digging up root crops no earlier than mid-September. Harvesting takes place in dry weather.

To obtain seeds from a new harvest, 5-6 strong roots are selected. They are processed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Then they are dried and placed in the cellar in a box with sand. It is recommended to plant root crops for seeds in early March.

Proper preparation of chicory

In order to ensure good preservation of the collection, it is necessary to follow the rules by which chicory is harvested at home. It is recommended to harvest leaves and stems from June to September. For harvesting, only green, strong, healthy shoots are pruned. After this, the collection is sorted out, the spoiled yellowed stems are removed. You can harvest the grass in whole branches, and for easy storage, the collection is crushed. Harvesting is carried out in sunny, dry weather away from the roadway and industrial area.

How to prepare flowers

Flowers from healthy plants are collected from early June to September, during the period of active flowering. Harvesting is carried out in good weather conditions and after the dew has disappeared.

Only well-bloomed buds without hard stems are suitable for cutting. Harvesting, as a rule, is carried out in environmentally friendly places.

How to dry chicory leaves

Cut or crushed stems are dried outside under a canopy or in any well-ventilated place: balcony or terrace. The main condition is good air circulation and no direct exposure to the sun. The room where the grass will dry must have moderate humidity, otherwise the raw material may become damp and moldy.

The stems prepared for drying are laid out on a cloth or thick paper. In order to avoid caking of the grass, periodic mixing of the collection is required.

The drying period is determined by the condition of the raw materials: if the stems break easily, drying is considered complete.

Flowers, leaves and roots of the plant are used to prepare the drink.

Collection and preparation of roots

Chicory root crops are harvested at the end of autumn, after the above-ground part of the shoot has died off. At this time, the root system accumulates a large amount of useful substances.

It is advisable to harvest roots after rain in damp weather, after the soil has become wet, this will allow root crops to be removed from the ground without difficulty. After this, the roots are cleaned of dirt, thoroughly washed in running water and dried. Then it is advisable to cut the roots into several parts, this will shorten the drying process.

Drying root vegetables at home can be done in two ways:

1. The natural way. In this case, the roots are laid out on a prepared tray and placed in a dark, ventilated room. Drying time is 10-14 days. This method is considered more effective, since it preserves all the healing properties of chicory.
2. Thermal method. With this drying option, the prepared root vegetables are placed in a dryer or oven preheated to 400 degrees, while it is advisable to keep the door of the heating device slightly open to prevent overheating. The degree of readiness of the chicory root is determined both by color and by squeezing, during which it should break with a slight crunch.

How to store chicory

How to make chicory so that it is preserved and does not lose its beneficial qualities?

To properly preserve chicory stock, you should follow some rules. Dried stems and flowers are well preserved in paper bags made of thick material. Natural fabric bags and thick cardboard boxes are also used. Then everything is moved to storage locations, which must meet basic requirements:

• maintaining optimal temperature and humidity;
• lack of direct sunlight;
• preventing moisture from entering.

If all rules are followed, the shelf life of chicory is 12 months.

As for storing roots and ground chicory powder for making drinks, it is best to store them in a tightly closed dark glass container. The container should be located away from products with strong odors. The shelf life of the workpiece should not exceed 2 years.

Chicory drink has many beneficial properties

How to make coffee from chicory

Chicory root is one of the substitutes. Drinks made from chicory root do not contain caffeine, but due to their beneficial properties they have a beneficial effect on the human body.

How to prepare chicory at home in order to preserve not only its healing qualities, but also its taste? To prepare such a healthy drink, the finished roots are fried without the use of oil until they change color and acquire an aromatic smell. After this, cool and grind thoroughly using a coffee grinder.

To brew chicory drink, you can use various grain additives (barley, soy, oats, almonds). The proportion of auxiliary components is calculated depending on taste preferences. The prepared mixture, calculated at 1 teaspoon per 200 ml of water, is poured with boiling water and brought to a boil. Then the drink is allowed to brew.

In the same way as chicory (a coffee drink) is made, various teas and medicinal tinctures are prepared from the powder of the herb and inflorescences.

Thanks to its invaluable quality, chicory has found application not only in medicine, but also in cooking and cosmetology.

There are a lot of recipes for all kinds of chicory drinks; this healthy product is gaining more and more popularity on our table. In taste, color and smell it resembles coffee, so beloved by many, but does not contain caffeine, which is not harmless even for very healthy people.

But it contains the amino acid inulin, fructose and many other useful food minerals and vitamins that help improve appetite, normalize digestion and even relieve the negative effects of stress.

The recipe for a drink made from chicory root, prepared with the addition of cream or milk, can even be used in baby food, it is healthy, and, importantly for children, tasty.

European countries have long appreciated the taste of chicory, and almost every country has its own recipes for preparing chicory. For example, in Latvia, honey, apple juice and lemon are added to a cold chicory drink; in Estonia, chicory is added to various fruit and berry teas; and in Belgium, in addition to chicory drinks, a casserole with cheese and apples is prepared from it.

In our magazine you can find many recipes for healthy drinks, such as vitamin cocktails.

And now we present to your attention several recipes for chicory drinks, from classic to the most original.

Recipe for a classic chicory drink

For those who are accustomed to the taste of coffee, but want to drink a healthier drink that tastes like coffee, we offer a recipe made from chicory.

For this recipe, you can use dried and ground chicory root powder, sold in packages. But if it is possible to use the dried and crushed root itself for cooking, such chicory will turn out more aromatic. The difference is about the same as coffee made from beans or instant powder.

Ingredients for making chicory drink

1. 2 teaspoons chopped chicory root,
2. 200 ml water,
3. sugar to taste (for lovers of sweet drinks)

• Pour boiling water over the chicory in a coffee pot or small saucepan and simmer for 15 minutes over low heat.
• Then remove the container from the heat and leave for 5 minutes.
• After infusion, strain the drink through a fine sieve, add granulated sugar to taste; for those who are accustomed to sweet coffee, the chicory drink is ready.

French chicory recipe

Ingredients for making French chicory

1. Chicory - 2 tablespoons
2. Ground ginger - ½ teaspoon
3. Coffee liqueur - 60 milliliters
4. Sugar - 4 tablespoons
5. Water - 2 liters
6. Whipped cream (as garnish)

• Pour the sugar into a deep metal container, place the container on low heat and heat the sugar, stirring, until it turns light brown (caramelization state).
• Add 2 tablespoons of water and ginger to the container and simmer over low heat until a smooth syrup is obtained (5 - 7 minutes).
• Prepare a solution of chicory using the method indicated on the chicory package and pour in the caramel-ginger mixture and mix.
• Pour coffee liqueur into tall glasses, then a solution obtained from sugar, ginger and chicory and top this drink with whipped cream.

Chicory-glazed recipe

Ingredients for the chicory iced drink:

1. Prepared chicory solution - 150 ml,
2. Chocolate ice cream - 90 g,
3. Ice - 6 cubes
4. Chocolate syrup,
5. Whipped cream - for decoration

• Place ice in a tall glass and pour in the chilled chicory solution, prepared in advance according to the instructions on the package.
• Then place an ice cream ball in a glass, pour in 10 - 15 ml of chocolate syrup, and decorate with whipped cream on top.

Chicory Frappuccino Recipe

Ingredients for the drink:

1. Chicory powder - 1 teaspoon,
2. Apricot juice - 100 ml,
3. Orange juice - 50 ml
4. Ice - 60 g,
5. Water - 100 ml
6. Strawberry - 1,
7. Raspberries - 1,
8. Sprig of mint - 1,
9. Whipped cream,
10. Powdered sugar (for decoration and adding a piquant taste)

• Prepare the chicory according to the instructions on the package and let it cool.
• While the chicory is cooling, whip the cream with sugar and set it aside.
• Then pour ice into a tall thin glass, pour in apricot and orange juice.
• Slowly, using a wide knife, pour the cooled chicory into a glass with a mixture of juices and ice.
• Place cream whipped with powdered sugar on top of the glass.
• We put strawberries and raspberries on a small skewer and place this composition on the edge of the glass. Place a sprig of mint on top of the whipped cream.

We offer a recipe for chicory for baby food, although adults will probably also like it.

Chicory cocoa recipe

Ingredients for chicory baby drink:

1. Powdered chicory - 2 tablespoons
2. Milk - 1 liter
3. Vanilla sugar - ½ teaspoon
4. Granulated sugar - 2 tablespoons (or to taste)

• In a saucepan, mix the chicory with granulated sugar, add about 200 g of milk, put it on the stove and bring to a boil, add the rest, according to the recipe, milk and simmer over low heat for about 5-10 minutes.
• Strain the prepared chicory cocoa and add vanilla sugar.
• If you use instant chicory, you do not need to strain the finished drink. But it is worth noting that ground chicory has a richer taste and is more aromatic than instant chicory.

Latvian chicory recipe

This delicious cold chicory drink is especially good on a hot summer day.

Ingredients for Latvian chicory:

1. Instant chicory - 3 teaspoons
2. Lemon syrup - 50 g
3. Apple juice - 300 ml
4. Honey - 3 tablespoons Water - 0.5 liters

• If you don’t have ready-made lemon syrup, preparing it is not difficult.
• Cut one lemon into small pieces, add 3 tablespoons of sugar, 100 ml of water, mix everything and cook over low heat until the volume is reduced by about half.
• Strain hot through a large sieve - the lemon syrup is ready.

You can prepare this fresh chicory juice in any glass, enamel or porcelain container. Place chicory, honey and lemon syrup in a container, add 100 ml of boiling water and stir thoroughly. After dissolving all the ingredients, add the remaining 400 ml of hot water, mix, cool and pour apple juice into the resulting solution. This fresh chicory juice is served cold.

Chicory is a common plant with blue flowers that can be found in the vast expanses of European Russia, Western Siberia and the Caucasus. It is grown as a seed crop in the USA and Western European countries. For all its inconspicuousness, buttonwood (another name for chicory) brings undeniable benefits to the human body. The use of chicory root, its benefits and methods of preparation is the topic of our article.

Benefits and preparation of chicory root

Composition of chicory root

Button roots consist of 60% inulin, a polysaccharide that is a powerful bifidostimulant, that is, a substance that catalyzes metabolism and has a beneficial effect on the condition of the body as a whole. The grass contains up to 15% of various sugars, as well as tannins, B vitamins, resins, microelements (potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium and others). The composition includes intibin, a substance used in pharmaceuticals. Chicory root has an average calorie content of 380 kcal.

How to properly prepare chicory?

A ready-made solution or powder from button roots can be found on the shelves of pharmacies or in the grocery store, but it is not difficult to prepare it yourself. It is worth collecting the medicinal plant away from busy roads and highways, in environmentally friendly areas. The roots are removed from the ground in late autumn; they must be carefully rinsed and dried in the sun or in the oven. Next, chop and fry in a frying pan. No need to worry, all the beneficial substances will be preserved during heat treatment, and the mixture will acquire a beautiful color and characteristic aroma. The roots are then ground into powder.

How to use chicory root?

The uses of chicory root are quite varied. It has become widespread due to its rich and complex composition, as well as a small list of contraindications.

Benefits of chicory root

Button root is a truly unique medicinal product; there are many recipes based on it in folk medicine.

Normalization of the gastrointestinal tract

Brewed chicory root powder has long been used to stimulate the secretion of gastric juice, increase appetite, and improve digestion.

Improving microflora and the condition of the pancreas

Due to the high content of inulin, button grass can improve intestinal microflora, reduce inflammatory processes, and normalize the functioning of the pancreas.

Reduced excitability and improved cardiac activity

The benefits for the nervous system are obvious - B vitamins contained in chicory ensure healthy, sound sleep, eliminate insomnia and apathy. Chicory, unlike coffee, has a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system, as it does not provoke an accelerated heartbeat or tachycardia. Potassium, contained in large quantities in this medicinal plant, normalizes the heart rate.

Normalization of sugar levels and weight loss

The root of this plant is also effective in complex therapy for the treatment and prevention of diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Inulin normalizes blood sugar and supports metabolic processes.

Treatment of dermatological diseases

Button grass helps cope with dermatological diseases; products based on the roots of this herb have wound-healing properties.

Chicory root in cooking

Chicory roots are also used for food purposes; it is included in confectionery products, cakes and pastries as a flavoring additive that gives baked goods a delicate nutty taste, pleasant color and aroma. Buttonberry is the safest alternative to coffee, close to the latter in taste, but not harmful to the body. Unlike coffee, this medicinal plant does not contain a dangerous alkaloid - caffeine, which has a detrimental effect on humans when taken in large doses. The alcohol obtained from the roots of this medicinal plant is superior in quality and output volume to potato alcohol. Edible leafy varieties of chicory, such as witloof and escarole, have been successfully selected. Young shoots and leaves, rich in ascorbic acid, are good fresh in salads and soups. When fried, the product is served as a side dish for fish. Chicory is indicated for dietary nutrition.

What can be prepared from chicory root?

Chicory root is good both on its own and as part of phytotherapeutic preparations. It is compatible with yarrow, corn silk, oregano, and milk thistle. You can make a decoction, infusion, coffee and tea from chicory root.

Decoction

You will need:

1. a teaspoon of chicory powder;
2. water - 200 ml.

Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. Cool and strain. This decoction should be taken one glass per day, divided into 4 doses.

Chicory root tea

Components:

1. a teaspoon of chicory powder;
2. water - 250 ml;
3. sugar or honey - 1 teaspoon.

Mix the powder with water and cook over moderate heat for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and strain. Sweeten warm tea with sugar or honey.

Imitation coffee

Components:

1. a teaspoon of chicory powder;
2. water - 200 ml;
3. milk - 50 ml.

The cooking method is similar to the previous one. Add milk to the finished coffee if desired. This will have a positive effect on its taste.

Contraindications to the use of chicory

In some cases, the use of button root is contraindicated. It should be avoided in case of ulcerative pathology, heart disease, varicose veins, hemorrhoids.

Now you know about the uses of chicory root and what unique properties it has. This product will help you get rid of all kinds of ailments, ensure a good mood and healthy sleep, and you can purchase it at an affordable price. If you have a serious medical condition, consult a specialist before drinking, if possible.