Coffee mans best friend.

[Ming the Merciless]

Chicory is Cichorium intybus, a dandelion relative with sky-blue flowers, rather a weed, although there are cultivated forms of it, such as endive.  The leaves can serve as salad greens.

The roasted, ground root can give coffee a bitter flavor some folks like.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicory

[D.A.L.U.I.]

What is chicory and what does it do to the taste of coffee.?

From Wikipedia:
Root chicory (Cichorium intybus var. sativum) has been in cultivation in Europe as a coffee substitute. The roots are baked, ground, and used as a coffee substitute and additive, especially in the Mediterranean region (where the plant is native), although its use as a coffee additive is also very popular in India (see Indian filter coffee), parts of Southeast Asia, South Africa and southern United States, particularly in New Orleans. It has also been popular as a coffee substitute in poorer economic areas, and has gained wider popularity during economic crises such as the Great Depression in the 1930s. Chicory, with sugar beet and rye was used as an ingredient of the East German Mischkaffee (mixed coffee), introduced during the "East German coffee crisis" of 1976-79.

Since dark roasted coffees can have a bitter taste, the chicory softens the effect.  Our coffee at home is CDM, Cafe Du Monde, and we make a cold brew concentrate and use that with milk.  Like NOLA44, I usually only have coffee in the morning--I have a pretty low tolerance for caffeine and would be staring at the ceiling all night if I drank it later in the day--even cokes do that to me.  Some people, my wife included, can drink a cup or even two and go right to sleep.  When we've been in France, it's always kind of interesting when the cafe waiter tries to give us Nescafe--because "Americans don't like our coffee."  Then, we say "New Orleans" and they bring the high test just like the French are drinking.
Most people who like Italian Expresso also like Chicory Coffee too. 

[tomgallagher]

OK thanks.

[theman]

Speaking of cowboy coffee, are any of you guys old enough to remember along with the freshly ground coffee and boiling water you threw in a pinch of salt and some egg shells.

Yes indeed also drank some of it lol.  I have heard different story's of why but not many made sense.  The salt maybe but eggshells? 

Some really interesting items have been brought up .  It is always good to learn.  Thank you brothers for the info..

[Sir Harry]

I like Frappucinos....I buy Starbucks and Community Mocha Frappucinos 4 bottles for $5.99.....I only drink hot coffee when working overnight in the cold outside....otherwise, not a big fan. I drink it mostly for the warmth and caffeine, the taste not so much. If hot chocolate is available, I will pass up the coffee.

[Drainman66]

I like Dunkin Donuts coffee it goes great with a couple of donuts to start the day off right.

[Magoo]

Speaking of cowboy coffee, are any of you guys old enough to remember along with the freshly ground coffee and boiling water you threw in a pinch of salt and some egg shells.

I have a friend that says she puts salt and egg shells in her coffee.Never tried it and always thought it sounded kinda strange.Maybe there is something to it, don't know ??                      

[theman]

I would much rather have donuts over egg shells and salt.  Dunkin Donut coffee is good to.

[Drainman66]

Eggshells and salt sounds kind of crazy in your java,  but maybe it's used to get rid of the coffee breath and clean your teeth at the same time. 

[theman]

Eggshells and salt sounds kind of crazy in your java,  but maybe it's used to get rid of the coffee breath and clean your teeth at the same time. 

You know that was one of the reasons that I couldn't remember I think it was my aunt that told me that.  But I couldn't remember it .  Thanks 

[Drainman66]

I was just kidding, but maybe it's true either way I like to enjoy my coffee not choke on it. Lol

[theman]

LOL, but you were right.  That was the use that the old timers passed on.  So great guess!   

[D.A.L.U.I.]

It's a Scandanavian way of brewing coffee:

Egg coffee is coffee which has been brewed with a raw egg, shell and all. The coffee has a distinct flavor and scent which some people quite enjoy, and as an added bonus, eggshells help to leach the acids from coffee, making egg coffee less hard on the stomach. This unique beverage is found in some Scandinavian nations, along with the American Midwest, and it appears in some parts of Eastern Europe as well. Egg coffee is also very easy to make at home.

To make egg coffee, the cook grinds one cup of coffee beans and then cracks a freshly washed egg into them. The shell is crushed and then added to the mixture, along with a dash of salt and some cold water to turn the egg and coffee mixture into a thick paste. Meanwhile, water is boiled in a heavy pot on the stove; depending on how strong people like their coffee, anywhere from six to 12 cups of water may be used.

[Sly Red]

Just received my quarterly order (3 pounds) of Organic Dark Roast Guatemala coffee from Spikes in San Francisco.  Life is good.

Red

[theman]

It's a Scandanavian way of brewing coffee:

Egg coffee is coffee which has been brewed with a raw egg, shell and all. The coffee has a distinct flavor and scent which some people quite enjoy, and as an added bonus, eggshells help to leach the acids from coffee, making egg coffee less hard on the stomach. This unique beverage is found in some Scandinavian nations, along with the American Midwest, and it appears in some parts of Eastern Europe as well. Egg coffee is also very easy to make at home.

To make egg coffee, the cook grinds one cup of coffee beans and then cracks a freshly washed egg into them. The shell is crushed and then added to the mixture, along with a dash of salt and some cold water to turn the egg and coffee mixture into a thick paste. Meanwhile, water is boiled in a heavy pot on the stove; depending on how strong people like their coffee, anywhere from six to 12 cups of water may be used.

Thanks saint, I am Norweigen so this very interesting.  I may have to try some of this .