Common chicory | |
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1885 illustration | |
Scientific classification | |
Unrecognized taxon (fix): | Plantae |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Asteraceae |
Genus: | Cichorium |
Species: | C. intybus |
Binomial name | |
Cichorium intybus | |
Synonyms | |
Synonymy |
Common chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a somewhat woody, perennial herbaceous plant of the dandelion family Asteraceae. It usually has bright blue flowers, rarely white or pink.
It is often used as a food plant, and often as a coffee substitute. Many varieties are cultivated for salad leaves, chicons (blanched buds), or roots. The roots of variety sativum are baked, ground, and used as a coffee substitute and food additive.
In the 21st century, inulin, an extract from chicory root, has been used in food manufacturing as a sweetener and source of dietary fibre.