New Orleans, a city celebrated for its vibrant culinary scene, draws food lovers from around the globe. While many flock to the Big Easy for its fresh Gulf seafood, spicy Cajun and Creole cuisine, and iconic cocktails, there’s another unique flavor that defines the city: New Orleans-style chicory coffee. This distinctive brew adds a layer of complexity to the city’s rich tapestry of tastes, offering a coffee experience unlike any other. But What Is Chicory, and how did it become such an integral part of New Orleans coffee culture?
To understand New Orleans-style coffee, we first need to delve into the key ingredient that sets it apart: chicory. According to Jesse Sutphen, manager at Silver Whistle Café in New Orleans, NOLA coffee is essentially “French-style roast [coffee brewed] with chicory.” French roast coffee is known for its dark, bold flavor, often described as slightly sweet and smoky. However, New Orleans-style coffee elevates these flavor characteristics by incorporating roasted chicory root into the brewing process. Typically served as a “cafe au lait,” this rich, dark roast is mellowed beautifully with the addition of steamed milk, creating a smooth and deeply satisfying beverage.
Delving Deeper: What Exactly is Chicory Root?
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a fascinating plant with a long history and diverse applications. Belonging to the daisy family, this European native wildflower is a perennial plant closely related to dandelions – another edible plant. Chicory is recognizable by its striking sky-blue flowers that bloom in late spring and summer. However, the part of the chicory plant that interests coffee lovers is its long taproot. While chicory leaves can be used in salads, the root is the key to chicory coffee. This taproot is harvested, dried, and then roasted, a process remarkably similar to preparing coffee beans.
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Chicory root and flower: Raw chicory root and vibrant blue flowers in a white bowl on a wooden table, highlighting the natural ingredients used to make chicory coffee.
The Flavor Dance: How Chicory Enhances Coffee
Chicory root doesn’t simply mimic coffee; it brings its own unique flavor profile to the blend, creating a harmonious and complex taste experience. “Raw chicory root starts a little bitter, but roasting it brings out a coffee-like nuttiness with slightly bittersweet notes,” explains Sutphen. He emphasizes that “when combined, the flavors are complementary and distinctive,” resulting in a beverage that is more than the sum of its parts.
Marie Guevara, Chef de Cuisine at Saba, an Israeli restaurant in New Orleans, further describes the flavor of chicory-roasted NOLA coffee as “layered, bitter, botanical, and nutty.” This layered flavor profile is what makes chicory coffee so intriguing and appealing to those seeking a richer, more nuanced coffee experience.
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A Brew Steeped in History: Chicory Coffee’s New Orleans Journey
Chicory’s journey to becoming a New Orleans staple is a fascinating tale of history and adaptation. Native to Europe, chicory has been cultivated globally for centuries. Ancient civilizations, including those in Egypt, Greece, and Rome, valued chicory for its medicinal properties.
The use of chicory root as a coffee substitute emerged in Europe in the early 19th century. Sutphen notes that chicory offered a “similar flavor produced when the roots are properly roasted,” making it an attractive alternative, especially during times of scarcity or economic hardship. Chicory was more affordable and readily available than coffee beans, particularly during wartime in France when imports were disrupted.
However, Sutphen points out a key difference: “it had the disadvantage of not having caffeine.” Despite lacking caffeine, chicory’s flavor resemblance to coffee led to its adoption as an extender and substitute.
The French colonization of Louisiana in the 17th century brought chicory to New Orleans. Guevara explains that “the practice was really embraced during the Civil War when supplies were scarce.” During this period, the Union blockade significantly reduced coffee imports to the Confederacy, making chicory a vital ingredient in maintaining the coffee tradition.
Even as coffee beans became more accessible, New Orleans maintained its love for chicory coffee. “When coffee beans became more widely available, palates informed by French influence enjoyed the best of both worlds,” Sutphen says. “Many New Orleans coffees will contain both, with the flavors complementing one another. What was once borne out of necessity has now become part of a cultural identity.” Chicory coffee, therefore, transformed from a substitute born of necessity into a cherished element of New Orleans’ unique cultural identity.
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Where to Savor Authentic Chicory Coffee in New Orleans
To truly experience New Orleans-style chicory coffee, venturing into the city’s iconic cafes and brunch spots is essential. Here are a few notable locations known for their exceptional chicory coffee:
Café du Monde
A New Orleans institution, Café du Monde is renowned for its beignets, but their New Orleans-style cafe au lait is equally noteworthy. Visitors can indulge in a smooth, rich, and perfectly balanced cup of chicory coffee at this long-standing NOLA staple.
shop.cafedumonde.com, multiple locations
French Truck Coffee
For a modern twist on tradition, French Truck Coffee, a beloved local mini-chain, offers their New Orleans coffee as a refreshing iced beverage. This provides a delightful way to enjoy the caffeine boost and complex flavor of NOLA coffee, especially during the warm Louisiana summers.
frenchtruckcoffee.com, multiple locations
Coast Roast Coffee
Located within the trendy St. Roch Market, Coast Roast Coffee is a third-wave coffee bar that excels in crafting artisanal NOLA-style cafe au lait. They masterfully balance the bitterness of dark-roast coffee and chicory with the richness of milk.
thecoastroast.com, 2381 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans, LA 70117
CC’s Coffee
Since 1995, CC’s Coffee, a Louisiana-based chain originating in New Orleans and a spinoff of Community Coffee, has been serving specialty brews, including their signature cafe au lait with chicory. Though now based in Baton Rouge, their New Orleans roots are evident in their commitment to chicory coffee.
ccscoffee.com, multiple locations
Cafe Fleur De Lis
Nestled in the French Quarter, Cafe Fleur De Lis offers a charming setting to enjoy chicory coffee. Open for breakfast and lunch, their menu features Cajun-inspired dishes, perfectly complemented by a cup of their traditional chicory coffee.
cafefleurdelis.com, 301 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA 70130; 129 Camp St., New Orleans, LA 70130
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicory
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Is chicory good for your health?
Chicory has been recognized for its medicinal properties for thousands of years, particularly in Mediterranean cultures like ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. Its use extends to other regions including South Africa, the Middle East, and India.
While modern research is still developing, chicory is believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties and to aid digestion. It’s also considered an appetite regulator, among other potential health benefits. These benefits are partly attributed to chicory root being a good source of inulin, a prebiotic fiber that may be beneficial in managing conditions like diabetes and gastrointestinal issues.
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What are some other uses of chicory root?
Beyond coffee, chicory root has a history of culinary uses. Historically, it has been eaten raw in salads or cooked in soups and various European dishes. It has also been ground into flour in some instances. Chicory root powder is also available in caffeine-free tea blends and as a dietary supplement, often added to oatmeal and other foods.
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How is chicory related to endives and other leafy greens?
While chicory root is prized for coffee, various chicory varieties also offer edible leaves. These include endive, radicchio (the red cabbage-like chicory), escarole, Belgian endive, and frisée (curly endive). These slightly bitter greens are frequently used in salads or sautéed in pasta dishes. Sometimes, their flowers are blanched to reduce bitterness and sweeten the leaves.
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