Seeking healthy products that they replace others that are not so is the order of the day. Every day we are more aware that what we eat greatly influences our health. That we have to take care of our diet as much as possible. That the more natural the food we eat, the better we will feel. And in that sense we want to present you the chicory. Yes, the truth is that the name does not give too many clues. Have you ever heard of her? If the answer is no -or yes, but you want to know it a little more-, we will tell you!
What is chicory?
Let's start at the beginning: what is chicory? Is a plant that, far from having been discovered recently, has been linked to Mediterranean culture for centuries, being used as natural medicine , as a food. Among other things, this food is known as "the coffee of the poor"; although now that more has been investigated in their We take care of your rental property in Valencia. , is one of those products that are recommended from a nutritionist perspective.
In fact, the same thing happens with other foods such as Rye bread or the integral: during the economic crises of past centuries they were consumed as substitutes for better quality products, and today, they are the basis of many healthy diets. As explained Alicia Caparros, health coach, to the magazine It, “Each part has different qualities since it is considered a medicinal plant; with a slightly bitter taste, you can eat the stems, leaves, heads and roots ”.
Properties and health benefits
As a natural food, it has a multitude of benefits: it has cleansing and detoxifying properties, promotes digestion and contains a lot of iron. Not to mention that it is also very good for him digestive system and to combat diseases such as diabetes. In short, a product that should undoubtedly be in our diet because, in one way or another, it provides us with all kinds of nutrients and aids.
And the truth is that we can include the chicory not only in hot drinks -as we will see later-, but all kinds of dishes that have it as an ingredient can be made. Since salads but also purees; going through pasta or cakes the chicory it is, in the end, a vegetable that can be part of a great variety of elaborations.
Grow your own chicory
Although it can be obtained in some greengrocers, you can opt for plant your own chicory. One of the most common varieties of this plant in Spain is the dandelion chicory. They are usually harvested twice a year - once in September / October, and the other in February / March. You can buy seeds in specialized agricultural stores or nurseries.
Chicory coffee
As we have said before, one of the most popular uses for this plant is for brew coffee. Its use began as a substitute for this drink when there was a shortage of it. "Poor's Cafe", it was colloquially called. Now it has become fashionable as it has a lots of benefits that make it a healthier alternative.
The most outstanding is that it does not contain caffeine. In addition, its flavor is smooth and pleasant; It doesn't taste like coffee, but it does have a vague resemblance to it. It is diuretic, helps regulate the digestive system and is rich in fiber and carbohydrates -intrinsic property of the root of this plant-.
The truth is that, for coffee lovers, the substitute for chicory falls short. But Alicia Caparrós confirms that “as a hot drink alternative it works very well”. You can find soluble chicory to prepare your own coffees in supermarkets like To field, El Corte Ingles, in specialized stores, such as herbalists, or in the Amazon link that we leave you below.
La chicory It is the clear example of, like everything in life, gastronomy and culinary fashions vary from time to time. What was previously considered an alternative to get out of trouble, today it is a more than viable option for those who want to take another step towards a healthier and more natural diet. Not only can it be used as a substitute for coffee, but it can also be implemented in all kinds of recipes to provide a different flavor. And you, have you already tried it or any of the products that are made with it?
