Family Name: Compositae
Botanical Name(s): Cichorium intybus
Popular Name(s): Succory, Wild Succory, Coffee Weed
Parts Used: The root and leaves
Habitat: Chicory is found in Europe, Africa, Australia, New
Zealand and in North and South America.
Description: Chicory is a perennial plant. Its stem grows to a
height of 2 to 3 feet and bears numerous lateral branches. Its lower
leaves are large and thickly covered with hairs. But its upper leaves
are smaller than the lowers ones. Its flowers occur in clusters,
generally in two or three.
Uses: Chicory leaves are used in salads. The leaves, slightly
bitter, caramel flavour when roasted, are dried and roasted to create a
rich and flavorful coffee blend or caffeine-free coffee substitute,
called Chicory coffee. The root of the herb is inodorous, mucilaginous
and bitter in taste. Chicory is used as tonic, laxative and as
diuretics.
