Frontier Co-op Roasted Chicory Root Granules 1lb - Chicory Root Coffee Substitute Alternative

This is some very tasty chicory root! I do not blend it with coffee at all, but rather use it straight. I make it in a french press using a Tbs of granules to just over 3 cups of boiling water. Steep it for 5 minutes (or longer if I get distracted) and it's perfect. I prefer it with a bit of milk and I do not "miss" coffee. I was never a "routine coffee drinker" that had to have it every morning, but I do really enjoy coffee and made it for myself 3-5 times a week. Why did I even try this drink? Honestly, I just enjoyed a cup of "New Orleans" coffee at a friend's and wanted to make my own at home planning to blend it with coffee before steeping. After reading about how good Chicory Root can be for various digestive issues I wanted to TRY it 'straight up' and see if I liked it. I didn't think I would (dandy blend was a bad experience for me!) I feared a terrible flavour--if you smell this stuff it smells like a strong sage-stuffing one might serve at a holiday meal--not something that screams "drink me"! Once it's steeped it becomes this rich, seductive, black drink that has an appeal you can't pin down. It does not taste like coffee, but it somewhat "feels" like coffee in the mug but has a not-quite-chocolatey & not-quite-liquorice flavor behind it. A splash of milk makes it feel decadent. The best surprise: After making too much I threw the extra in the fridge. Next morning I didn't feel like the effort of re-heating so I threw it over ice and added "a bit too much" milk and for it was an amazing iced-latte. NO sugar needed. SMOOTH and rich and lovely all for the cost of a teaspoon of this and maybe half a cup of milk! I find that the flavor does 'pick me up' in the morning or middle of the day, but I can also sit and sip it to relax before bed. Hot or Cold, I can enjoy this anytime without the concerns I had with the caffeine of coffee. (I never "felt" caffeine until recently when I started drinking coffee less often and also turned 40--now I "feel it" if I drink a cup :/ ) And as a bonus, the chicory naturally relieves stress/anxiety. I did not know that before trying it--I just wanted that good coffee my friend had made-- but found by drinking it that it totally relaxed me. Then I googled it and it seems that's a common effect. Happy coincidence! When I'm stressed about work or some deadline I used to run off and enjoy coffee to give my mind a break and think clearer... I tell you anecdotally, I grab a cup of Chicory and it calms me and makes me feel very focused (due to lack of anxiety-static, I'm sure) a very different feeling from a coffee break and much more productive. It's been wonderful to have around the house and studio! I've only been drinking this 2 months, but my coffee is neglected terribly. At 1tsp/cup compared to coffee using 4 to 6 times as much and being more expensive... I can't see me keeping much coffee on hand at home anymore!

Nice nutty earthy flavor

It's really good, no complaints about that...but for my use, I had to grind it down a wee bit more, no big deal, just slightly more time consuming for me. I will purchase more however.

Incredibly, this does taste just like brewed coffee. With a little half and half I daresay anyone would be hard-pressed to tell the difference. As a hardcore, lifelong java junky who had to let go of caffeinated beverages for cardiac reasons, this stuff fills the craving wonderfully. You will note reviews warning of not brewing it too strongly, and I'll concur: 1/2 tsp steeped in a 16oz mug of boiling water until the color is right (3 minutes for the first steeping, 5 minutes for the second) is perfect. That itself is a bonus, that the grounds - like high-quality tea leaves - can be steeped two or three times. Use a really good tea infuser (not one of those little balls, use something like the "Teablee Tea Infuser Strainer Steeper Extra-fine Mesh with Lid") and boiling water, and have a great cup of ersatz coffee anytime!

It[s good and gets here quick

Yes, this product can taste like a good cup of coffee. Mix it strong. Add dairy or coconut milk to it - sprinkle some cinnamon and it is delicious hot or cold. What's better - the benefits of Chicory are magnificent. It doesn't deplete your calcium (like coffee does), assist with your acidity levels in the stomach, helps with weight loss/constipation, reduces parasites and has shown to detoxify blood. What! Yup. This particular line of Chicory is pretty good. I have given it away as a gift. now you know. Warmly, H20 Monica

After I add heavy cream and sweetener it's drinkable. This is the forth chicory coffee sub I've tried and they ALL taste like unwashed, used, sock tea. Some of them taste like well worn, never washed cotton sock tea. Others taste more like never washed nylons tea. Not that I've actually tasted those kind of hosiery brews but you can get a very good idea how something will taste just from the smell and these taste like old socks smell. There's one brand that is the least offensive and I'll stick with it: World Wide Botanicals. I've been experimenting and it can produce something like instant coffee, kind of. Very stale instant coffee. But coffee-ish none the less. If you use lots and lots of heavy cream and a sweetener you can eat almost anything. Try it on an Amazon carton. Make sure it's a fresh one though and let me know how it went. After drinking espresso coffee all day, every day, since birth, I had to cut out caffeine or surrender the mortal coil.

Have purchased multiple times - I make it in a French press with some roasted dandelion root and then later mix it with coffee to have a lower caffeinated beverage.