The writer's mother loved chicory. It was held in precious childhood memories that she shared with her children. When, as a young child, she lived at 222 Rhode Island Avenue, NE in Washington, DC. Chicory grew in the cracks of sidewalks. When she was six she and her parents moved into their new house in Arlington*, VA where her mother planned beautiful and extensive flower beds.
American colonists imported chicory and cultivated it for livestock feed.
Historians of the American Civil War (remember other countries had their civil wars, also) tell us that large, deep chicory taproots were dried, crushed and roasted and was used as a substitute for coffee. Sometimes it was added to coffee.
Earlier in the spring WW II soldiers found that they could roast and grind the taproot of the common dandelion to use as a coffee substitute. The common name, dandelion, corrupts the French phrase, dent de lion, meaning "tooth of the lion."
Chicory leaves have been added to salads.
Fibrous chicory root is the most common source of inulin. Inulin is often added to foods that do not naturally produce fiber. Read food labels and look for inulin.
The ancient Egyptians found chicory along the Nile River and harvested it over 5,000 years ago.
*Arlington, VA trivia. Then the writers ancestor, Lt. Col. Samuel Shreve, of the Continental Army, purchased land there it was in Fairfax County. In preparation for the coming of the Capitol to move from Philadelphia in 1800 this portion of Virginia was absorbed into the District of Columbia. maps today show the 10-mile square including this area. in 1847 the land was retroceded back to VA. Then It was called Alexandria Country. Because of confusion of Alexandria County and Alexandria City the area was changed to Arlington County in 1920 named after the Custis-Lee Arlington Estate.
American colonists imported chicory and cultivated it for livestock feed.
Historians of the American Civil War (remember other countries had their civil wars, also) tell us that large, deep chicory taproots were dried, crushed and roasted and was used as a substitute for coffee. Sometimes it was added to coffee.
Earlier in the spring WW II soldiers found that they could roast and grind the taproot of the common dandelion to use as a coffee substitute. The common name, dandelion, corrupts the French phrase, dent de lion, meaning "tooth of the lion."
Chicory leaves have been added to salads.
Fibrous chicory root is the most common source of inulin. Inulin is often added to foods that do not naturally produce fiber. Read food labels and look for inulin.
The ancient Egyptians found chicory along the Nile River and harvested it over 5,000 years ago.
*Arlington, VA trivia. Then the writers ancestor, Lt. Col. Samuel Shreve, of the Continental Army, purchased land there it was in Fairfax County. In preparation for the coming of the Capitol to move from Philadelphia in 1800 this portion of Virginia was absorbed into the District of Columbia. maps today show the 10-mile square including this area. in 1847 the land was retroceded back to VA. Then It was called Alexandria Country. Because of confusion of Alexandria County and Alexandria City the area was changed to Arlington County in 1920 named after the Custis-Lee Arlington Estate.