What Is Chicory Coffee? A French Tradition with River City Roots

Step into a slower moment. Picture an early morning café along the river, the air heavy with the scent of roasted coffee and something deeper, almost sweet. That is the unmistakable aroma of chicory coffee, a tradition that began centuries ago in France and found new life along the Mississippi. Today, the taste still carries a story. It is the story of resilience, creativity, and how a single root became a symbol of French café culture that crossed the ocean and settled into American soil.

The Origins of Chicory Coffee

To answer the question what is chicory coffee, we have to go back to early 19th-century France. Chicory is the root of a blue-flowered plant, part of the dandelion family. When roasted and ground, it adds a rich, toasty flavor to coffee that is smooth, nutty, and slightly sweet.

During the Napoleonic Wars, France faced a coffee shortage as trade routes were disrupted. Instead of going without, people began roasting chicory root to stretch their coffee supply. The flavor was so good that even when the shortages ended, many kept the blend as part of daily life. It became a taste of home, comforting, familiar, and uniquely French.

The Journey Across the Atlantic

As French settlers made their way to North America, they carried that taste for chicory coffee with them. The tradition traveled up the Mississippi River from the ports of Louisiana to the heart of St. Louis, a city shaped by French influence and river trade.

When the American Civil War created another coffee shortage, the practice returned out of necessity. Chicory once again filled mugs across the South and river towns, proving that a good tradition does not fade easily. Over time, it became part of local identity, a flavor tied to both old-world Europe and life along the Mississippi.

Why Chicory Coffee Endures

Even after centuries, the appeal of chicory coffee remains the same. It is bold and earthy, with a mellow sweetness that dark roast lovers appreciate. The chicory softens the acidity of the beans, creating a cup that feels rich without being bitter.

For some, it is nostalgia in a mug. For others, it is discovery, a new kind of coffee experience that connects them to something timeless.

A Blend That Honors Both Worlds

At Mississippi Mud Coffee, our French Chicory Blend celebrates this cross-continental story. We blend dark roasted Arabica beans with roasted chicory to create a cup that is deep, smooth, and unmistakably soulful.

Brew it your favorite way — drip, French Press, or pour-over — or make it the French-Vietnamese way with thick, sweet condensed milk. It is equally delicious hot or over ice as a Cold Brew. (We will be sharing the recipe soon on the blog.)

Rooted in History, Perfected for Today

From the cafés of France to the coffeehouses of St. Louis, chicory coffee has traveled far but never lost its charm. It is a story of culture meeting craft, of how a simple root found its way into hearts, cups, and morning rituals across the world.

Try our French Chicory Blend and taste the history for yourself.