The root in the morning cup
Chicory: the root of the North, from the Continental Blockade to your cup
By the Mush n Go team · Updated 18 September 2026
The chicory (Cichorium intybus) was for a long time the breakfast drink of northern France and Belgium, on its own or mixed with coffee. Roasted root, instant chicory, inulin, endive: behind a single name sit several products, with their benefits, their limits and a few precautions. At Mush n Go, it is part of the recipe of our mushroom coffee, Brainstoorm.
Brainstoorm
Our mushroom coffee: 6,040 mg of actives per cup, including Lion's Mane, Cordyceps and Chaga, with chicory in the recipe and only 20 mg of caffeine.
Discover Brainstoorm →
Coffee Pack
Brainstoorm Coffee and Brainstoorm Chocolate-hazelnut together: enough to alternate flavours, hot or cold, with water or milk.
Discover the bundle →The fact file
Chicory in brief.
A perennial plant of roadsides, sky-blue flowers, a long taproot. Here are the essentials before going any further.
From the North to the Blockade
A story of a vegetable, then of coffee.
First a bitter salad and a medicinal plant, chicory was not roasted until the 18th century. It was a trade war that brought it into European cups.
Antiquity
Egyptians, Greeks and Romans eat the leaves of wild chicory. The poet Horace lists it among the simple plants that feed him.
18th century
In the Netherlands and Germany, people begin drying, roasting and grinding the root to add it to coffee, then expensive and taxed, or to replace it.
1806
Napoleon decrees the Continental Blockade against England. Coffee becomes scarce and priced out of reach in France: chicory takes over, particularly in the North.
19th century
Northern France and Belgium become the heartland of coffee chicory. Around the middle of the century, the Belgians discover that a root forced in the dark gives the endive.
20th century
During the wars and rationing, chicory once again replaces coffee. “Coffee-chicory” with milk becomes a family breakfast ritual.
Today
Chicory and its benefits are among the most searched-for subjects in the coffee-alternative aisle. France remains one of the large European producers of coffee chicory, mainly in the Hauts-de-France region.
One plant, several chicories
Do not confuse your chicories any more.
On a market stall, “chicory” covers products that sometimes have nothing to do with one another. Some belong to the same species as coffee chicory, others to a neighbouring species. A quick sort.
| Name | Species | What it is used for |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee chicory | Cichorium intybus | Dried, roasted root, in grains or instant |
| Wild chicory | Cichorium intybus | Young leaves in salad, edible flowers |
| Endive (chicon) | Cichorium intybus | Blanched bud obtained by forcing the root in the dark |
| Red chicory (radicchio) | Cichorium intybus | Red, bitter salad leaf, raw or grilled |
| Sugarloaf | Cichorium intybus | An elongated head of salad, milder |
| Curly endive and escarole | Cichorium endivia | Salads of a neighbouring species, unrelated to the drink |
Wild chicory is recognised by its sky-blue flowers, which open in the morning and close again by the middle of the day. If you forage, be certain of the identification.
From root to powder
How a tear of frankincense coffee chicory.
The chicory root looks like a big beige carrot. Sown in spring, it is lifted in autumn, then processed in a few simple steps, close to those used for coffee.
The cossettes
The roots are washed, cut into pieces called cossettes, then dried so they can be stored.
The roasting
The cossettes are roasted. That is where the brown colour, the caramel notes and part of the bitterness are born.
Grains or instant
Crushed, chicory gives “grains” to brew. Extracted with water and then dried, it becomes instant or liquid chicory.
What it contains
Inulin, bitterness and zero caffeine.
Chicory is not a coffee and contains no caffeine at all. What it provides depends a great deal on the form: raw root, roasted root or extract.
Inulin is a soluble fibre of the fructan family, which the root stores as an energy reserve. It is not digested in the small intestine and arrives intact in the colon, where it is fermented by certain bacteria. The fresh root is very rich in it, and it is from that root that most of the inulin sold in Europe is extracted.
The sesquiterpene lactones, such as lactucin and lactucopicrin, give the plant its characteristic bitterness. They are what justify its traditional use as a “bitter” plant, to accompany digestion.
Chicoric acid is a polyphenol that owes its name to chicory. Finally, roasting creates aromatic compounds through the Maillard reaction, the one that browns bread.
| Form | What you mainly get | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh root | A lot of inulin, a marked bitterness | Raw material for inulin |
| Roasted root | Roasted aromas, a little inulin, zero caffeine | Drink in grains or instant |
| Extracted inulin | An almost pure prebiotic fibre | Supplements, food ingredient |
| Leaves | Fibre, vitamins, bitterness | Salads, cooked vegetable |
Roasting degrades part of the inulin. A cup of chicory therefore does not provide the same quantity of fibre as a raw root or an inulin supplement, and that matters if you want to read the promises correctly.
The benefits of chicory
What tradition credits it with, and what we actually know.
The benefits of chicory are among the most asked questions about the plant. The honest answer comes in two parts: an old traditional use, and solid research, but focused on one precise component, inulin.
On the tradition side, chicory root has been used for centuries as a bitter plant, for slow digestion and lack of appetite. The European Medicines Agency has devoted a monograph to it that recognises this traditional use in mild digestive complaints, such as a feeling of heaviness or bloating. Traditional means based on the length of use, not on clinical trials.
On the research side, it is chicory inulin that has been most studied in humans. At a sufficient dose, it feeds certain bacteria in the colon, notably the bifidobacteria, and increases stool frequency. The European Food Safety Authority has validated that last effect, with a claim authorised since 2015.
On the drink side, the most concrete asset is simple: a hot cup with a taste close to coffee, without caffeine.
What to take away: chicory is a good drink, and inulin a seriously documented fibre. But a cup of chicory is not an inulin course. For the benefits on hair, the liver or the skin, so often quoted online, the human evidence is missing.
Inulin and bowel function
What the studies say about chicory inulin.
Human research on chicory is mainly about its inulin. Here is the work that is most useful for knowing what to expect from it, and at what dose.
Kleessen et al., 2007 · Germany
Healthy volunteers ate baked goods enriched with chicory or Jerusalem artichoke inulin. The researchers observed a rise in bifidobacteria in the stools, the classic prebiotic effect of inulin.
Micka et al., 2017 · Germany
44 adults with constipation, 12 g of chicory inulin a day or a placebo, for four weeks. The inulin group saw its stool frequency increase, with slightly softer stools.
EFSA, 2015 · Europe
After reviewing the available trials, the European Food Safety Authority concluded that native chicory inulin contributes to normal bowel function by increasing stool frequency, at a rate of 12 g a day.
In short: a real effect on bowel function, but at 12 g of inulin a day, well beyond what a cup of roasted chicory provides. The full references are at the bottom of the page.
Coffee and chicory
Coffee, chicory or both?
Mixing coffee and chicory is an old European tradition, which is coming back among those who want less caffeine without giving up the ritual.
| Classic coffee | Chicory on its own | Brainstoorm Coffee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | Around 80 mg in an espresso | None | 20 mg of microencapsulated NewCaff® caffeine per cup |
| Taste | Roasted, more or less acidic | Toasted, caramel, gentle bitterness | A real coffee taste, with no mushroom taste |
| Actives | None added | None added | 6,040 mg per cup: Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, Maca, Ashwagandha, chicory |
| Preparation | Machine, filter or instant | Grains or instant | Instant, hot or cold, water or milk |
Mixing half coffee, half chicory mechanically halves the caffeine in the cup, without changing your habits. Chicory also brings roundness and colour, which is why it was long used to “stretch” coffee. To go further, discover the dangers and benefits of decaf coffee.
Chicory with milk remains the mildest version, and a simple option in the evening, caffeine-free.
Why it is in Brainstoorm
Chicory, in the service of taste.
When we created Brainstoorm, our aim was clear: a mushroom coffee more highly dosed than the others, one that really tastes like a good coffee. With 6,040 mg of actives per cup, against around 3,000 mg for competitors, it is our most highly dosed coffee.
The challenge is to bring together 1,000 mg of Lion's Mane, 1,000 mg of Cordyceps, 1,000 mg of Chaga and 3,000 mg of Maca in a single cup, without the slightest mushroom taste. Chicory helps with that. Its toasted, caramelised notes meet those of the coffee, give it body and colour, and make it possible to keep an indulgent cup with only 20 mg of caffeine.
Let us be precise: chicory is there for the flavour, not for a dose of inulin. A 6 g cup cannot contain the 12 g studied for bowel function. The exact quantity is on the label.
And the Chocolate-hazelnut version? It is built on cocoa rather than chicory, with the same mushrooms, maca, ashwagandha and rhodiola, for 6,225 mg of actives per 8 g serving. Find all our drinks on the page mushroom coffee.
What they say about it
Trustpilot reviews, reproduced as they are.
Reviews of Brainstoorm, the mushroom coffee whose recipe contains chicory: they are about the whole product, not about chicory on its own.
“More mental clarity, more energy, and that famous 4 p.m. slump… gone for good!”
★★★★★Virginie L., 29 August 2026 · Brainstoorm
“I was sceptical and in the end I'm won over. Less caffeine and yet I'm full of beans and even-tempered”
★★★★★Maïté S., 4 April 2026 · Brainstoorm
“What I like most is the steadier energy it gives: no jitters and no energy dip.”
★★★★★Nawel F., 7 January 2026 · Brainstoorm
“i used to get stomach ache with normal coffee, now my stomach has settled and I feel great”
★★★★★Sonia L., 27 August 2026 · Brainstoorm
The right combinations
Chicory plays as a team.
In Brainstoorm Coffee, chicory is never alone. Here are the ingredients that go with it in the cup, and why.
+ Lion's Mane
The mushroom of focus, at 1,000 mg per cup, studied in connection with its hericenones and erinacines. Lion's Mane: benefits, dosage and precautions.
+ Cordyceps
The mushroom of energy, also at 1,000 mg per cup, for the body while Lion's Mane looks after the head. the benefits and dosage of Cordyceps.
+ Maca
The root of the high Andean plateaus, at 3,000 mg per cup, which also brings a sweet, malty note. the benefits and dosage of maca.
+ Ashwagandha
The calm plant of Ayurveda, to keep a cool head on busy days. Ashwagandha: benefits, dosage and precautions.
Who it is for
A mushroom coffee-chicory is for you if…
- You want to cut the caffeine without giving up the taste of coffee.
- You know the famous afternoon slump all too well.
- You like coffee-chicory, but want a cup that does more.
- You prefer doses stated in milligrams to vague promises.
- You want a drink that takes ten seconds to make, hot or cold.
| Brainstoorm on its own | Coffee Pack | BrainPower Pack | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contents | One Brainstoorm, in the taste of your choice | Brainstoorm Coffee + Brainstoorm Chocolate-hazelnut | Focus, Energy + one Brainstoorm |
| Caffeine | 20 mg per cup | 20 mg per cup, whichever the taste | 20 mg per cup, the capsules caffeine-free |
| Who it is for | Discover the mushroom coffee | Alternate the flavours as the moment dictates | The complete routine, capsules included |
The recipes for all our formulas are developed and produced in Toulouse, France, by a French contract manufacturer, and they are vegan, GMO-free and gluten-free, with a 60-day money-back guarantee and the choice between a one-off purchase and a monthly subscription (−30 %). See the Coffee Pack or BrainPower Pack.
Risks and precautions
Instant chicory: is it really a risk?
“Instant chicory danger” is a frequent search. The good news: at the usual quantities, chicory is well tolerated by the vast majority of adults. Here are the points to know, without alarmism.
Acrylamide. Like coffee, toast or chips, roasted chicory naturally contains acrylamide, a substance that forms when foods rich in starch or sugars are cooked. That is where the searches about “instant chicory and cancer” come from. The European Union has framed the subject since 2017 with reference levels, including one for coffee substitutes. The common-sense rule: vary your drinks and do not drink litres of it.
The gut. Inulin ferments in the colon. At a high dose it can cause gas and bloating, especially if you have a sensitive gut or follow a low-FODMAP diet. Increase the quantities gradually.
The kidneys and blood pressure. No risk is known for healthy kidneys. In case of kidney disease or high blood pressure, ask your doctor for advice.
The drink can be taken without concern at a reasonable dose. Inulin as a supplement and particular situations call for a little more attention.
- If you are allergic to Asteraceae, such as ragweed, mugwort or chamomile, be careful and ask for advice.
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the caffeine-free drink is a common alternative to coffee; talk to your doctor before taking any supplement.
- In case of gallstones, the use of bitter plants such as chicory root calls for medical advice.
- If you are on treatment or have a chronic illness, ask for advice before any course.
- Respect the dose stated on your product label, and keep it out of reach of children.
A word on Brainstoorm: its caffeine is limited to 20 mg per cup, but it also contains mushrooms, maca and ashwagandha. It is therefore for adults only, and medical advice is recommended during pregnancy, breastfeeding or any treatment.
Your questions
Everything you ask us about chicory.
What are the benefits of chicory?
Chicory root is traditionally used as a bitter plant for slow digestion. Its inulin is a well-studied prebiotic fibre, which contributes to normal bowel function at a rate of 12 g a day. As a drink, its main asset is offering a taste close to coffee, without caffeine.
Is instant chicory dangerous?
No, at the usual quantities it is well tolerated by most adults. Like roasted coffee, it contains acrylamide, which is framed by European regulation. Inulin can cause bloating in sensitive people.
Does chicory contain caffeine?
No. Chicory root contains no caffeine. A coffee and chicory blend does, in proportion to the share of coffee.
Coffee and chicory: why mix them?
For the taste, the roundness and the colour, and to cut the caffeine in the cup. A half-and-half blend contains around half as much caffeine as coffee alone. Also worth reading: Adaptogenic mushroom and plant drinks: recipes.
What is chicory inulin?
It is a soluble fibre extracted from chicory root. Not digested in the small intestine, it is fermented in the colon by bacteria, notably the bifidobacteria. It is found as a supplement or as an ingredient in many foods.
Is chicory bad for the kidneys?
No risk is established in a person with healthy kidneys. In case of kidney disease, and especially of a potassium-controlled diet, ask your doctor for advice.
Is chicory good for the liver?
That is a traditional reputation, tied to its bitterness. The human evidence is missing for talking about an effect on the liver. The traditional use recognised in Europe concerns mild digestive complaints.
Can you drink chicory when pregnant?
The caffeine-free drink is often used as an alternative to coffee during pregnancy, in reasonable quantity. Ask your midwife or your doctor for advice before any inulin supplement or any concentrated preparation.
Endive and chicory, are they the same plant?
Yes. The endive is the blanched bud obtained by forcing in the dark a root of Cichorium intybus, the same species as coffee chicory. Curly endive and escarole, on the other hand, belong to a neighbouring species.
Does Brainstoorm taste of chicory?
Brainstoorm Coffee tastes like a good coffee, with the roundness chicory brings it, and no mushroom taste at all. It is made hot or cold, with water or milk.
Where can you buy Brainstoorm?
Directly on mushngo.com, with free delivery from €59 in France and from €69 to €89 elsewhere in Europe, depending on the destination, a one-off purchase or a monthly subscription (−30 %) as you prefer, and 60 days satisfied or your money back. The Brainstoorm recipes are developed and produced in Toulouse, France, by a French contract manufacturer.
Sources
- Kleessen B., Schwarz S., Boehm A. et al. (2007). Jerusalem artichoke and chicory inulin in bakery products affect faecal microbiota of healthy volunteers. British Journal of Nutrition, 98(3).
- Micka A., Siepelmeyer A., Holz A., Theis S., Schön C. (2017). Effect of consumption of chicory inulin on bowel function in healthy volunteers with constipation: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 68(1).
- EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (2015). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to “native chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency. EFSA Journal, 13(1).
Put it into practice
Chicory, the Mush n Go version.
You now know all about chicory and what to look for on a label. Here is where to find it with us, with vegan formulas whose recipes are developed and produced in Toulouse, France, by a French contract manufacturer, backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Brainstoorm
Our mushroom coffee: 6,040 mg of actives per cup, including Lion's Mane, Cordyceps and Chaga, with chicory in the recipe and only 20 mg of caffeine.
Discover Brainstoorm →Coffee Pack
Brainstoorm Coffee and Brainstoorm Chocolate-hazelnut together: enough to alternate flavours, hot or cold, with water or milk.
Discover the bundle →The other ingredients
Keep exploring.
Chicory is only one of the ingredients in our drinks. Discover the others, browse our selection of mushroom coffee or the page listing all our active ingredients.
Brainstoorm
The energy of coffee, without the downsides
Coffee Pack (Choco & Coffee flavour)
The energy of coffee, without the downsides
Brainstoorm coffee (pocket size)
The energy of coffee without its downsides
BrainPower Pack
A sharp mind, steady energy, Naturally