Chicory: I use it in every pot of coffee that I make. A very small amount smooths the taste of the coffee, but too much makes it taste bitter. I am not sure how that works. I still use the manual coffee grinder that I showed in a previous post, but I have learned how to adjust it. I think it's best when coarsely ground. The electric grinder was too aggressive. The benefit of grinding your own is that the beans stay fresh much longer when whole. My next step will have to be roasting my own.
I have a friend in Lafayette, Louisiana who sent me a large bag of Community dark roast ground. Thats the first i ever tried. But my wife who drinks about a half cup of coffee each morning likes beans so I bought some beans from Community. Now she has lost her last and smell but still drinks a 1/2 cup coffee bean made coffee. But her idea that beans are fresher got me to looking at other coffees and beans, what the experts says and what's said on some blogs. It has sort of turned into a hobby ( I mean what else has an old retired guy got to do with himself ) . I am now generally prefer a bean with a light roast. Community does not have a light roast so after trying a nlynber of brands and roasts, I now drink a light roasted bean I get at Sam's Clubs, called, "MT. Comfort Coffee." Two coffees. One has on the coffee bag, Kenya; the other, Costa Rica. I preferred the Kenya but only bought it once as Sam's has not had it again. So I get the Costa Rica package of MT Comfort Coffee. I did notice after I first bought it was ranked only three stars and most of Sam's other coffees ranked four stars. But, I have tried many of the four stars and a few five stars around the country and the three starred MT Comfort suits me. I stand corrected: The Mt. Comfort Costa Rica coffee is a medium Roast, The Kenya was aLight Roasted. I generally don't care for the Chicory flavored coffee. In fact, the first time I tried Chicory coffee was around two a.m. in a s small town out of Shreveport ,LA. I had driven most of the day and night and was getting sleepy and yet had miles to go to Baton Rouge. I stopped at a small cafe, the only one open on the highway, and ordered coffee. The waitress asked if I wanted a half cup or a full cup. I thought what a crazy question to asked at two a.m. "A full cup," I said. I took my first swig and almost swallowed my tongue. I tried to be non shallot and slowly un-wringle my face and smile. Back in the car I asked the wife and mother-in -law if they had ever tasted anything so bad. "Chicory," my MIL said, "You have to get used to it." I have later bought a bag of Community Chicory and missed and matched to no real good result. I forgot where I was going with all this so, think you all for your comments. You have added to my research into a search for the perfect affordable coffee.
One other great thing about chicory is that it's totally caffein free as opposed to the 95 mg's (average) of an 8oz cup of regular coffee. The added plus is that it helps prevent colon cancer, which, I do thank the Lord above that Asian Palm Civets have not caught on to that fact.
But Sheldon, can't you just imagine all those poor Columbian children hand grinding coffee day in and day out just so Folgers can sell pre-ground coffee? Can't ya just see the little tykes all sitting on mats out in the jungle sweating over their little grinders, only taking time out to nibble on a little sustenance? Yes, for that reason I choose to grind my own beans. Besides, perchance the shift that cleans the AK-47's is close to the grinders, I do not wish to have gun oil mixed with my ground coffee.
I hadn't thought of this before, but might that be the reason it causes headaches- less caffeine in the coffee?
My Grandma used Chicory when I was a kid extensively in her coffee-making. About that time, a new product, Instant Postum, was being marketed, which contained, I believe, no coffee at all, but rather some kind of ground cereal. This was before I was permitted coffee, but of course I tasted the new stuff. Ugh, and phooey! My Dad must have felt similarly, as the jar of Postum sat in the pantry unused for years. Frank EDIT: I was wrong. 2nd. time! Postum became popular way over 100 years ago, it somehow appeared in our house about when I was 10. " Postum was sometimes marketed by a cartoon ghost named Mister Coffee Nerves,[4] who would appear in situations wherein people were shown in uncomfortable life-situations" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postum
Postum is a roasted cereal drink, and it might look similar to coffee; but the taste is defintely not the same. I used to drink Postum sometimes, like you would drink instant coffee; because it was hot, tasted good, and didn't keep me awake at night. Now, you do not always see it in stores, and what I drink is a similar roasted grain drink called Roma. I like the flavor of it better, and it does not taste quite so much like molasses as Postum does.
Coffee is probably my biggest weakness. I might drink 2 sodas a week, but I'll put away some coffee. Bad for me? probably. Best coffee, in my opinion, is that cup after you finish a task and stop to reflect. A cold, early morning by a campfire before anyone else is awake. Coming into the chowhall after a long shift on the flightline and smelling the coffee brewing in one of those huge pots. Caf, decaf, strong, lite, Espresso, doesn't matter...just fill my cup!
Heard on the news for the second time this year, a medical report, coffee is good for you, quoting a five year study, this last report. I agree with your best coffee opinion.
Yup it's in the news and I'm pleased since I drink a lot. Yet, don't be surprised if next week there's an equally negative coffee scientific 'finding.'
I drink a lot of coffee but I don't think I'm addicted. When it's hot out, I don't drink so much of it and I can drink caffeinated or decaffeinated interchangeably. I like the taste of coffee, and can drink it up until the time I go to bed, and still sleep well. But then, I rarely go to bed before midnight and if I have something to do, I can easily stay up all night.
I'm the total opposite of you Ken. I'm not fond of the taste and only drink it for the caffeine. I am probably addicted to it because I have trouble with fasting blood work if I can't have my coffee to get going in the morning. Ive also always ignored the no coffee rule in some diets. I don't drink any coffee after around noon but then I can't stay up til midnight or pull an all nighter unless I'm on speed, lol. Just kidding, don't do meth or cocaine or diet pills but have tried the diet pills in the 70's...probably after gaining so much weight with my first pregnancy.
If I'm on only decaffeinated I get quite antsy in a bit. I can dink coffee til 9-10 if I want. Usually beddy-bye by 11:30-ish. I like coffee flavored most anything reasonable.