TOP 10 best chicory: types, benefits and harms, reviews
Many people consider chicory to be a common drink that is used as a substitute for coffee. In fact, it has a huge number of beneficial properties, helps to strengthen the body and immunity. For a product to truly improve health, you only need to buy quality chicory. The best types of this product are described in this rating.
Types of chicory
Chicory is a perennial herb. The leaves of chicory salad are eaten, and the roots of the common one are used to prepare hot drinks.
There are several varieties of the product:
- Powdered chicory - produced by roasting the roots with further grinding into powder.
- Plant liquid extract - obtained by evaporation of liquid from the root of the plant. The procedure is carried out several times to obtain the most concentrated liquid.
- Instant chicory Is the most popular variety. The roots of the plant are first crushed, then fried, extract is produced, and then dried.
The liquid extract is believed to be the healthiest. But in fact, any chicory, be it soluble or freeze-dried, retains all the beneficial properties of the root. The finished drink is moderately sweet, invigorating, with a light chocolate flavor. He has practically no contraindications, so even pregnant women can drink chicory.
Useful properties and contraindications
Chicory is a unique plant that has been scientifically proven to be beneficial. It is recommended to use it for many diseases:
- People with diabetes and obesity should drink chicory, as it contains the unique substance inulin, which is a natural substitute for sugar. Drinking this drink can help lower blood sugar and bad cholesterol levels.
- Patients with cardiovascular disease should use this product as a coffee substitute. Chicory is great for invigorating, but it does not contain caffeine, and if you add a little ground ginger to a cup of drink, it will help strengthen the heart muscle and the walls of blood vessels.
- Chicory is good for digestion too. It normalizes the intestinal microflora, reducing the risk of inflammation.
Having figured out how chicory is useful, you should pay attention to what harm the use of this drink can cause. If a person has at least one of these contraindications, it is imperative to consult a doctor before using it.
- During pregnancy and lactation, do not get too carried away with this drink.
- It is also not recommended for people with an allergy to the flowering of ragweed, chrysanthemums and marigolds, since chicory belongs to the same Asteraceae family.
- Drinking chicory is not recommended for people with gallstones. The fact is that this product stimulates the production of bile and can worsen the patient's condition.
Best Chicory Rating
To brew a tasty and healthy drink at home, you need to buy only the best, natural chicory. The following products are considered to be of the highest quality:
Health
Inexpensive but high quality chicory. It is produced in powder form, so it is not difficult to prepare a drink. It is enough just to put 1-2 teaspoons of the powder in a cup, pour 150 ml of boiling water and stir. The product does not contain sugar and gluten, therefore it is suitable even for people with diabetes and allergies. The composition contains only natural chicory extract without preservatives and flavor enhancers, so regular consumption of the drink will help strengthen the immune system and improve overall health.
The weight | 200 g |
Shelf life | 24 months |
Energy value per 100 g | 280 kcal |
Pros:
- mild taste allows you to drink a drink without sugar;
- affordable cost;
- brews quickly;
- no impurities;
- improves bowel function.
Minuses:
- not very convenient packaging;
- if you put too much powder in a cup, it starts to taste bitter.
Testimonial: “This chicory is inexpensive but completely natural. The taste is full-bodied, sweetish and without bitterness. "
Stockros
A drink made from roasted chicory root has a bright rich taste and pleasant aroma with light notes of chocolate. Since the product is ground, it will not work simply to dissolve it in water. To prepare a healthy drink, 1-2 teaspoons of the product are poured into 200 ml of boiling water, brought to a boil, allowed to stand for 5 minutes, filtered and poured into cups. If desired, milk or cream can be added to the liquid to improve the taste. The product is sold in a sealed vacuum package, so it does not cake when stored.
The weight | 200 g |
Shelf life | 24 months |
Energy value per 100 g | 260 kcal |
Pros:
- even roasting fully reveals the flavor of the root;
- natural composition without additives and preservatives;
- there are light notes of chocolate in the taste;
- strengthens the immune system;
- does not cake during storage.
Minuses:
- you can't just brew in a cup, you need to boil it;
- because of roasting, bitterness is clearly felt in the drink.
Review: “I like this chicory precisely because it needs to be brewed in a Turk, like coffee. It also tastes like coffee, invigorates well. "
Chicory Petrovskaya Sloboda
Instant chicory from a well-known domestic manufacturer will conquer from the first sip with its mild taste and delicate aroma. In taste and appearance, the drink resembles ordinary instant coffee, but it does not contain caffeine and does not cause insomnia. It saturates the body with vitamins and nutrients. If you drink a cup of this chicory in the morning, it will give you a boost of vivacity for the whole day, and in the evening it will help calm your nerves and normalize sleep.
The weight | 75 g |
Shelf life | 18 months |
Energy value per 100 g | 288 kcal |
Pros:
- can be used as a coffee substitute;
- does not contain sugar;
- free of gluten and flavor enhancers;
- sealed packaging prevents caking;
- convenient to brew directly in the cup.
Minuses:
- some users find the drink not too invigorating;
- not always on sale.
Review: "For me personally, this drink has nothing to do with coffee, but it invigorates really well, and the taste is very soft and pleasant."
Russian chicory
This chicory is recommended for those who prefer to quickly prepare hot drinks and do not like sediment in the cup. Chicory comes in the form of a liquid extract, so for brewing, simply add one or two teaspoons of liquid to a cup of boiling water and stir. The extract contains all the vitamins and nutrients, so this drink is perfect not only for strengthening the immune system, but also for relieving cold symptoms. The composition does not contain preservatives and flavors, therefore, even pregnant women and children can use this product in moderation.
The weight | 200 ml |
Shelf life | 24 months |
Energy value per 100 g | 227 kcal |
Pros:
- reliable domestic manufacturer;
- sturdy glass jar with a sealed lid;
- high concentration ensures economical consumption;
- pleasant mild taste;
- bright aroma with notes of coffee and chocolate.
Minuses:
- without added sugar and milk, some find the taste too bitter;
- not always on sale.
Testimonial: “Very rich taste and bright aroma. I don't add sugar and milk, then the drink invigorates perfectly. "
Great life
Powdered chicory with rich flavor and intense aroma. The volume of the package is enough for 50 cups. Thanks to the fine grinding, you do not have to do complicated manipulations to prepare the drink. It is enough just to pour 1-2 tablespoons of the product into a cup, pour boiling water over it and stir. The drink invigorates perfectly, and if you drink it in the evening, it normalizes sleep. It is made from natural chicory root without preservatives or flavors, so drinking it regularly can help normalize bowel function and strengthen your heart.
The weight | 100 g |
Shelf life | 18 months |
Energy value per 100 g | 228 kcal |
Pros:
- quality product of domestic production;
- sealed packaging prevents caking;
- quick preparation of a drink;
- pleasant sweetish taste does not require the addition of sugar;
- does not contain gluten.
Minuses:
- inconvenient packaging without fasteners;
- not always on sale.
Review: “I have never been a fan of chicory, but I tried this one by accident and I liked the taste. I drink it at night, it perfectly calms the nerves. "
Grandma's farm
Completely natural chicory in powder form from a reliable domestic manufacturer. The product comes in a sealed package that prevents the product from caking and retains its rich aroma. The packaging is equipped with a zip fastener for easy storage while preserving the aroma and useful properties. Chicory contains inulin, which normalizes digestion and metabolism, and also removes toxins and toxins from the body. Since the drink is available in powder form, brewing it does not take much time: just put a spoonful of chicory in a cup, pour boiling water over it and stir. The product has no contraindications, so it can be consumed even during pregnancy.
The weight | 100 g |
Shelf life | 18 months |
Energy value per 100 g | 276 kcal |
Pros:
- natural product without preservatives;
- classic sweetish taste;
- zip-fastener packaging prevents caking;
- does not require added sugar;
- normalizes the digestive tract.
Minuses:
- small package weight;
- some users find the drink tastes too sour.
Testimonial: “Very fine grind, so the chicory dissolves quickly in the cup, but sediment remains at the bottom. I use it instead of coffee, it invigorates perfectly. "
Dr. DiaS
Fans of chicory will appreciate the classic rich taste of the drink. It is made from environmentally friendly natural raw materials in compliance with the current state standards. The product is provided in a sealed vacuum package, and a secure zip closure prevents the product from caking and preserves its rich aroma. Chicory is completely organic, so all the healing properties are preserved in it. Its regular use will help normalize the functioning of the digestive system and heart, calm the nervous system and eliminate insomnia.
The weight | 100 g |
Shelf life | 18 months |
Energy value per 100 g | 230 kcal |
Pros:
- organic product;
- reliable domestic manufacturer;
- sealed packaging with a fastener;
- there is natural chicory with a coffee flavor;
- the sweet taste allows you to drink the drink without sugar.
Minuses:
- high cost compared to analogues;
- not always on sale.
Testimonial: “My grandmother started having heart problems, and she loves coffee. I bought her this chicory, she says that it is delicious and really resembles coffee. "
Healer
Natural powdered chicory produced according to TU 9198-001-71330600 standards. The composition includes an organic plant extract that has a healing effect on the body. In the morning, a cup of this drink will perfectly invigorate and increase efficiency, and in the evening it will help to relax and calm the nervous system. The product is placed in a sealed vacuum package, so its shelf life is 2 years. But there is no fastener on the pack, therefore, after opening, it is advisable to store the product in a dry and dark room to prevent caking.
The weight | 100 g |
Shelf life | 24 months |
Energy value per 100 g | 270 kcal |
Pros:
- rich taste;
- adding milk produces a delicious cappuccino;
- affordable cost;
- rich aroma;
- you can drink without sugar.
Minuses:
- low inulin content;
- dissolves only in boiling water.
Review: "The chicory itself is not bad, but if you pour it not with boiling water, it dissolves badly."
Favorite foods
Instant powdered chicory contains no caffeine, but tastes and aromas similar to natural coffee. The product contains vitamins of group B, which energize, give strength and increase efficiency.At the same time, chicory does not irritate, but calms and stimulates the nervous system, so insomnia does not appear after it. Even children, retirees and pregnant women can drink it. To prepare a drink, it is enough to pour 1-2 teaspoons of chicory with boiling water and stir. Sugar can be omitted as the product itself is sweet.
The weight | 100 g |
Shelf life | 18 months |
Energy value per 100 g | 240 kcal |
Pros:
- rich taste;
- dissolves quickly;
- pleasant aroma;
- does not contain sugar and gluten;
- affordable cost.
Minuses:
- not very convenient packaging without a fastener;
- if not brewed with boiling water, flakes of undissolved powder appear in the drink.
Review: “Normal chicory, no better and no worse than others. The smell and taste are pleasant, to improve the taste I usually add a little ginger. "
Indigo
This product is called "the best chicory" by many. It is made from selected roots of a special variety of chicory, so the finished drink turns out to be very tasty and invigorating. The root of the plant is well roasted and finely ground, so the powder quickly dissolves even in not very hot water. The product is provided in a vacuum foil package, does not cake, but after opening it is better to pour it into another container with a sealed lid to prevent loss of taste and aroma.
The weight | 100 g |
Shelf life | 18 months |
Energy value per 100 g | 230 kcal |
Pros:
- does not contain GMO;
- one package will last for 80 hours;
- affordable cost;
- sweet rich taste;
- perfectly calms the nervous system.
Minuses:
- not always on sale;
- some consumers find the taste too intense.
Review: “I start the morning with a cup of this drink. Perfectly invigorates, increases performance. They say that insomnia relieves, but in the evening did not try to drink. "
Comparison table
To facilitate the selection of the best chicory, the table of comparisons of the products described in the top will help. Despite the fact that everyone has about the same weight and shelf life, they differ in calories. This information is useful for people who want to choose a quality chicory suitable for their diet.
Product name | The weight | Shelf life | Energy value per 100 g |
Health | 200 g | 24 months | 280 kcal |
Stockros | 200 g | 24 months | 260 kcal |
Chicory Petrovskaya Sloboda | 75 g | 18 months | 288 kcal |
Russian chicory | 200 ml | 24 months | 227 kcal |
Great life | 100 g | 18 months | 228 kcal |
Grandma's farm | 100 g | 18 months | 276 kcal |
Dr. DiaS | 100 g | 18 months | 230 kcal |
Healer | 100 g | 24 months | 270 kcal |
Favorite foods | 100 g | 18 months | 240 kcal |
Indigo | 100 g | 18 months | 230 kcal |
Selection Tips
When choosing chicory, the first step is to probe the packaging. If lumps are felt in it, it is better to refuse the purchase. Their presence indicates that the product was not stored correctly.
The easiest way to assess the quality of a product is after opening the package. The darker the powder, the stronger it is roasted, and therefore it will turn out to be very strong and will become a complete replacement for coffee. But if chicory is bought to strengthen the body, it is better to choose a light roasted product. It is in it that the most useful substances are stored.
If a pungent smell is felt when opening the pack, it means that the product is not natural and flavors have been added to it. As for the brand, it is better to give preference to the products described in this particular rating, since they are the most natural and healthy ones among other analogues.