Chicory, freeze-dried or powdered – which is better, healthier and tastier?

One can argue which chicory is better - instant or freeze-dried. However, each version of the drink has its fans. Experts advise studying information about the properties of both chicories, and then drawing conclusions. Both granules and powder have their pros and cons. The choice of one or the other depends on the situation.

What is instant chicory

Natural coffee is a wonderful drink with an invigorating effect. However, not everyone can drink it due to some contraindications. Chicory is considered a coffee substitute. It is produced from the roots of a plant with the same name. The perennial is also called endive, bitterweed, and Tatar flower.

To prepare the drink, chicory is available in several versions, one of them is soluble powder. It is obtained from an extract of endive root. The concentrate is made by extraction, evaporating excess liquid. In production, the extract is spray dried, resulting in a brownish powder with a rich taste and aroma and beneficial properties as the final product.

In order for chicory to retain its qualities, it is important to store it correctly. The powder must be in a tightly closed container. A cool, dry place is suitable for storage. The product must be consumed before the expiration date indicated on the packaging. In the future, it becomes less useful, and the taste of the drink may deteriorate.

High-quality powder does not contain artificial additives that give it additional flavor or make it more tasty. There are no dyes in soluble chicory. Tasters define the taste of the drink as rich, bitter, with a sweet aftertaste. Soluble chicory can also be granulated.

By the way, supporters of everything natural make powder for preparing the drink at home. The process looks like this:

• the roots are passed through a meat grinder and then roasted in the oven at a temperature of 90-95° C;
• as soon as the moisture evaporates from the roots, they are fried in a dry hot frying pan until brown;
• during the frying process, chemical reactions occur, accompanied by the formation of essential oil, which gives the drink a recognizable aroma;
• the crushed and fried raw materials are then ground in a coffee grinder or blender.

The prepared powder is brewed to obtain a healthy drink. You can diversify the taste of instant chicory by adding milk, honey, and fruit juices.

What is freeze-dried chicory

Freeze-dried chicory is prepared using the same technology as freeze-dried coffee. The drink concentrate is dried using a special technology without being exposed to high temperatures:

• a vacuum is created in a special chamber;
• rapidly freeze the product at very low temperatures;
• The output is light, light brown crystals.

It is believed that in such a product all useful substances, including vitamins, are preserved as much as possible. Freeze-dried chicory is recommended for dietary nutrition. The drink brews quickly, the crystals completely dissolve in water. The product is as easy to use as chicory powder. The benefits of chicory are undeniable in this case. If it is produced from high-quality raw materials of special varieties.

Since more complex technology is used in the production of a freeze-dried product, it costs more. However, not all manufacturers conscientiously fulfill their task. Instead of a natural product in a jar of chicory, you can find a fake, in the manufacture of which not very useful components were used. For example, the composition may include maltodextrin, an additive made from starch and related to concentrated carbohydrates. In this case, the crystals acquire a red tint and become very dusty.

Ground cereals can also be added as ingredients. Their presence in the composition can be determined using a simple test. You need to dilute half a teaspoon of chicory in a glass of water, and then add a drop of iodine to the drink. The appearance of blue stains will indicate that the chicory contains starch released from cereal crops.

What are the similarities and differences?

First, it’s worth mentioning what both drinks have in common. Chicory in any form can have a beneficial effect on health. Thanks to the use of this coffee substitute, the following changes occur in the body:

• blood sugar levels decrease;
• intestinal microflora is normalized;
• metabolism accelerates;
• the work of the heart muscle improves;
• hemoglobin levels increase;
• aging processes in cells slow down;
• the functioning of the nervous system is stabilized;
• the condition of the skin and hair improves.

All this becomes possible due to the presence of folic acid, inulin, iron and other trace elements, flavonoids, and vitamins in the drink. True, for beneficial effects, chicory must be consumed regularly. In an instant drink, beneficial substances are in concentrated form, so the effect of its consumption is enhanced.

The difference between powdered chicory and freeze-dried chicory is a different production method. The drink in crystals is produced using more complex modern technology, which allows for the preservation of more useful substances due to the lack of high-temperature treatment. At first, chicory was produced only in the form of liquid concentrate and powder. A freeze-dried version appeared later.

comparison table

The table shows the characteristics, pros and cons of each product. A compressed amount of information allows you to quickly assess the main parameters of both chicories.

The price of chicory depends on the brand and the presence of additional ingredients. On sale there is a drink in powder with ginseng, blueberries, raspberries, rose hips, and dry cream.

Pros and cons of instant chicory

Powdered chicory is in demand due to its beneficial properties and manufacturers understand this. Today the drink can be found on the shelves of any store in one form or another. Indisputable advantages of the product:

• invigorating and healing effect on the body;
• convenient release form that allows you to quickly brew a drink;
• the ability to choose chicory with various additives;
• low price.

If we talk about the disadvantages, first of all we need to highlight the possibility of running into a low-quality fake. A drink made from low-grade raw materials or containing additional impurities will be much less useful.

In addition, chicory requires special storage conditions.It is necessary to ensure that after opening the packaging is tightly closed, otherwise the powder will stick together into clumps. Since this is a highly concentrated product, it may pose a danger to people prone to allergies. You should try the drink for the first time in a small amount, observing the body’s reaction.

Pros and cons of freeze-dried chicory

Freeze-dried chicory is produced using gentle technology, which allows you to preserve the maximum of nutrients. It is chosen by supporters of a healthy lifestyle. Main advantages of the product:

• can be used by those for whom drinking coffee is excluded for medical reasons;
• has a pleasant taste and aroma;
• easily dissolves in water;
• contains more valuable substances compared to powder.

Now we can consider the cons. Due to complex production technology requiring expensive equipment, the price of products produced in this form is significantly higher. The freeze-dried drink should also be used with caution by people prone to allergies. The product should not be stored anywhere, for example, on a windowsill or table. To preserve its beneficial properties, the jar of chicory must be kept in a dark and cool place.

What is better to choose

When choosing chicory in a store, pay attention to the price, brand, and release form. For example, older people will be more satisfied with chicory powder. It costs 2 times less than freeze-dried. It is not necessary to buy the product packaged in glass jars, which makes it even more expensive. The powder in a bag has the same qualities, but costs an order of magnitude less.

For coffee connoisseurs, a freeze-dried drink is more suitable. It has better organoleptic characteristics and a milder taste.Chicory in crystals is usually chosen by those who are concerned about the healing properties of the plant. During sublimation, raw materials undergo gentle processing at low temperatures, which preserves more minerals and vitamins.

Those who do not trust the quality of the finished product can make their own instant chicory at home. This process is not difficult, the main thing is to get high-quality raw materials. After preparing the drink, sediment will remain at the bottom, but there is nothing to worry about. But you can be sure that no additives will enter the body.

Doctors' recommendations

Doctors recommend consuming chicory for older people who have accumulated diseases of the heart and gastrointestinal tract. True, if you have a peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, as well as gastritis in the acute stage, you should not drink the drink. For those who have problems with appetite, it is better to drink a cup of chicory before meals to stimulate digestion.

Chicory will also help people with gallstone disease. The substances contained in the drink will gradually dissolve the stones. When consumed regularly, chicory reduces blood pressure, which is important for hypertensive patients.

This classic, dairy-free and sugar-free drink can be used externally to heal cuts and wounds. Before you start taking chicory regularly, it is better to consult with your doctor, who will take into account all contraindications and give his recommendations.

Fortunately, today's buyers have a choice of which chicory to buy. Some choose a powdered drink, others prefer a freeze-dried product. You can try both to finally confirm your preferences.In any form, the drink will bring undoubted benefits to the body.