Beverages, coffee, instant, chicory
Whole food · Beverages
Photo: Wikipedia
Instant chicory coffee is a caffeine-free, roasted root beverage with a deep, earthy, and slightly nutty flavor reminiscent of dark-roast coffee. Its texture is fine and dissolves completely, producing a smooth, full-bodied brew with a distinctive, lingering bitterness. Nutritionally, it is exceptionally low in calories and carbohydrates, making it a light, guilt-free alternative to traditional coffee.
Calorie split: 11% protein · 89% carbs · 0% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its robust, coffee-like depth without the caffeine jitters, making it a comforting ritual. Its versatility shines as a standalone drink, a coffee substitute, or a flavor enhancer blended with regular coffee.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its strong, bitter, and earthy taste can be an acquired one, and it may cause digestive discomfort (gas, bloating) in those unaccustomed to high inulin intake. Start with small portions and gradually increase to allow your gut flora to adjust. Those with allergies to plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae) should exercise caution.
Key benefits
- Naturally caffeine-free, suitable for evening consumption.
- Rich in inulin, a prebiotic fiber that supports gut health.
- Contains antioxidants like polyphenols.
- Very low in calories and carbohydrates.
- May support digestive regularity due to inulin content.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
During the Napoleonic Wars and other coffee shortages, chicory became a widespread, economical coffee substitute across Europe and is still a beloved staple in Belgian and French café culture.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 98.9 g |
| Energy | 3.0 kcal |
| Energy | 14.0 kj |
| Protein | 0.09 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.00 g |
| Ash | 0.17 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.75 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 4.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.05 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 3.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 3.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 35.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 7.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.01 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.22 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 21.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Beverages, carbonated, tonic water — USDA does not publish this profile for Beverages.
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.00 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.00 g |
| Leucine | 0.00 g |
| Lysine | 0.00 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.00 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.00 g |
| Arginine | 0.00 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.00 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glycine | 0.00 g |
| Proline | 0.00 g |
| Serine | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Does chicory coffee contain any caffeine?
No, pure instant chicory beverage is completely caffeine-free, as it is made from the roasted and ground root of the chicory plant, not the coffee bean.
Why might chicory coffee cause digestive issues?
It contains inulin, a prebiotic fiber. For people not used to it, inulin can ferment in the gut, causing temporary gas or bloating. Starting with a small amount and increasing slowly helps.
Can I mix chicory with regular coffee?
Absolutely. It's a classic practice, especially in New Orleans, to blend chicory with coffee to stretch the supply, reduce caffeine, and add a unique, deep flavor note.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.03 kcal/g · 12% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.20 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.