After having it in New Orleans, I find a little in the brew (10-15% of total weight of grounds) takes me back to that very lovely trip. Additionally I read that chicory is good for those with diabetes… and then stumbled upon something that blew my mind which is just how many different names and varieties exist that humans cultivate and eat regularly. Wild endive, radicchio, frisée, puntarelle, Belgian endive, and escarole are just the most popular. It’s also a prebiotic as I’ve been told.
I understand there’s social stigma around chicory in coffee because many considered it something only poor people used to stretch their coffee. I went into it blind of any history or context and found it enjoyable, so I’ve involved it in my coffee routines frequently. But everyone’s tastes are their own.
I do not understand it as a pure coffee replacement. A 100% chicory brew was not enjoyable for me personally.
Yay!!! I’m so happy I’m not the first to mention Becky Chambers.
Octavia E. Butler is right up there too if OP has never read their stuff.