Chicory

Also Known As : Kasani, Kasni, Hinduba, Blue sailor's succory, Coffeeweed, Sugarloaf, Wild succory, Witloof, Succory, Belgian Endive, FRENCH: chicoree, GERMAN: zichorie, indivia, hindlauf, ITALIAN: cicoria, radicchio, SPANISH: achicoria

Technical Name : Cichorium intybus

Descriptions
details

Vegetarian

Taste Profile

Chicory has a bitter taste.

Usage Tips

All parts of the Chicory plant can be eaten.
The leaves can be added in salads or cooked like spinach, the buds can be blanched and cooked as a vegetable.
Chicory roots can be boiled and eaten with butter, and also dried, then roasted and ground to be added to coffee and tea.
Chicory leaves are best stored in a refrigerator, wrapped in plastic but used as soon as possible while the roasted, ground roots should be stored in an air-tight bottle away from heat and sunlight.

Common names and forms

Kasani

Description

Chicory is a woody plant having bright blue flowers and sometimes white or pink. It is native to native to India, Europe, and Egypt. This plant is cultivated for its leaves, buds, and roots and some popular varieties of it are Daliva, Rossa di Treviso, Rossa di Verona, Flash, Zoom and Giulio Firebird. Chicory was first grown 5000 years ago by Egyptians and they treated it as a medicinal plant. Then the Greeks and Romans used chicory leaves as a vegetable and in salads. It was also grown as an animal forage in Europe around the 17th century. While chicory root as a coffee additive started in colonial America. At present, chicory is used almost all around the world and mostly cultivated for its root to be used as an additive in coffee.

Health benefits

Chicory acts as a strong anti-inflammatory agent and is helpful to cure muscle pains and joint pains.⁽¹⁾
It contains a fibre called Inulin which helps in lowering bad cholesterol resulting in good heart health.⁽¹⁾
Inulin and Oligofructose (a type of carbohydrate) in Chicory help regulate a hormone Ghrelin in the body which reduces the chances of overeating and promotes a feeling of fullness, thus aiding in weight loss.⁽¹⁾
Its root acts as a diuretic which increases urine flow thus, helping in kidney disorder conditions, where toxins don't get excreted out from the body easily.⁽¹⁾
Chicory helps relieve anxiety and stress because of its sedative properties.⁽¹⁾

Selection Guide

When selecting fresh chicory, choose pale leaves as they will be less bitter. Chicory root is usually sold roasted in granular or powder form, so choose as per the requirement. Buy chicory root powder that are sealed in airtight packs.

Note

Chicory when taken in large amounts may cause miscarriage in pregnant women. It may lower blood sugar to abnormal levels in diabetics. It may stimulate bile secretion in people with gall bladder stones causing much discomfort. It may also cause allergies in some people.⁽²⁾

Resource & Links

(1) https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-chicory.html

(2) https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-92/chicory

- Disclaimer
"Information here is provided for discussion and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or product or ingredient review/rating. The information may not apply to you and before you use or take any action, you should contact the manufacturer, seller, medical, dietary, fitness or other professional. If you utilize any information provided here, you do so at your own risk and you waive any right against Culinary Communications Private Limited, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees or representatives.”