Chicory root is a hardy perennial best known for its association with coffee, producing a similar roasted beverage with no caffeine. A larger relative of the dandelion, chicory was in cultivation for thousands of years along the Nile River in Egypt, then spread to America in the 18th century.
Chicory root is commonly used to make a caffeine-free coffee substitute. Chicory coffee is a delicious beverage that has a similar flavor to actual coffee, but with less stimulating properties. Chicory root is also added to enhance the roasted, nutty flavor of regular coffee