When we talk about chicory, we immediately remember that it is a well-known coffee substitute. However, the herb has beneficial components in large quantities. Many people do not even suspect that this plant is quite often found in desert meadows or along off-road areas, like an ordinary weed. Summer residents who know the beneficial properties of this grass try to care for it in their plots. Read more about how to properly collect, dry and store chicory for the winter.
When and how to collect chicory
Chicory is in the active flowering phase for 3 months, from July to the end of September. The green part of this plant is harvested during this period. Cut off the top with flowers 30 centimeters long, without touching the hard stems.
As for the part of the plant that grows underground, its collection begins during the rainy season. During periods of high soil moisture, removing chicory roots is not difficult. The very beginning of spring or late autumn, after the grass stems have withered, are suitable for this procedure.
Anyone who wants to get the maximum amount of benefit from consuming chicory collects rhizomes in the autumn.
To carefully remove the roots, you must first dig up the soil around the stem, then pull out the root. The most useful part of the plant is deep in the ground, so the use of a shovel is not required, as there is a risk of tearing off only the top part of the grass. When growing grass at home, it is easy to follow the phases of its growth and flowering.
Harvesting chicory for the winter
To keep chicory well in winter, the upper and lower parts of the plant are dried. Before harvesting the grass, it needs to be prepared.
After collecting the upper part of the plant, the raw materials must be sorted out, removing yellowed damaged branches, particles of dirt and leaves damaged by pests. There is no need to wash the collected chicory stems. The branches can be dried whole or cut into several parts. For ease of storage, many chop the grass into strips only 3 centimeters long.
Chicory roots should be removed from the soil and washed thoroughly in water. Small lateral roots are torn off from the main rhizome, since they are not suitable for drying; most of the useful vitamins are contained in the main root.
Very long rhizomes can be cut crosswise into several parts, thick rhizomes can be cut lengthwise.
How to dry grass
Outdoor places are considered suitable for drying chicory; many people choose a balcony, veranda or canopy. The main thing is that the air circulates well and the grass is protected from direct sunlight. The room is chosen without high humidity, as this contributes to the molding of raw materials. Cut chicory branches are laid out on thick paper or fabric.
To prevent caking of the grass, the plants are periodically stirred during the drying process. Some craftsmen dry the grass in a dryer, using temperatures up to 45 degrees Celsius. After two to three weeks, the green part of the plant will be dried out.
How to dry rhizomes
The roots of the beneficial herb are also dried in two ways. This can be done by laying it out on canvas or paper and leaving it in the open air in a dark place. Or using a dryer or oven preheated to no more than 40 degrees Celsius.
If you choose a natural method of drying the roots, the readiness time for chicory will be no more than 2 weeks. Before the procedure, the rhizome is cleaned of dirt and small damaged lateral shoots. If necessary, cut lengthwise or crosswise.
How to determine product readiness
Distinctive features that the chicory has dried well enough are that when squeezed between the fingers, the dried leaves turn into powder, and the stems make a distinct cracking sound when they break. If the top of the plant is dried in compliance with all conditions, it will not change its natural shade during the drying process.
The roots, dried to the required stage, acquire a light brown color, and inside have a yellowish tint.
Storage methods
Thick paper bags, fabric bags or cardboard boxes are great for storing green grass tops. Choose a dry place where there is no sunlight. The beneficial herb retains its healing components for 12 months.
It is recommended to store dried roots of a medicinal plant or ground chicory drink in a glass container in a dark, dry place. Jars with preparations must be placed away from products that have a pungent or specific aroma. Taking into account all the above recommendations, chicory coffee, as well as dried roots of the plant, retain their beneficial qualities for 24 months.
Application of chicory preparations
Chicory root is the most popular coffee substitute. As you know, natural coffee contains a substance such as caffeine. This component is contraindicated for people suffering from certain diseases.
As for the chicory drink, there is no caffeine in it at all, but other beneficial substances are contained in large quantities.
To make coffee from chicory roots, you need to chop the fresh roots into several pieces no more than 10 millimeters thick. And then subjected to heat treatment at a temperature of about 100 degrees Celsius for 12 hours.
Already dry pieces of roots need to be fried in a frying pan without the use of oil. When the chicory acquires the color of a coffee drink, the product is considered ready.
The specific aroma of chicory coffee is given by the essential oil that is released during roasting of the roots. The fried raw material must be cooled, then crushed using a blender or coffee grinder.
Chicory drink is brewed both without adding grain components and with them.The supplements usually chosen are soy, barley, rowan, oats, dried carrots or roasted almonds. The proportion of these components is always different, depending on taste preferences.
Tea is also prepared from the powder of this medicinal herb. To do this, one teaspoon of the powder mixture should be boiled in water, the amount of which is approximately equal to one glass of water. After which the drink is allowed to brew. After 10 minutes the drink is ready. By adding sugar, cream or milk, you can enjoy aromatic tea with bitterness.
Drinks made from ground chicory have a positive effect on the nervous system, provide a calming effect and, moreover, do not contain caffeine at all.
