Does Chicory Go Bad?

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Chicory, characterized by a tough, hairy stem with light purple leaves, is a flowering plant commonly used in salads. It is also used as a substitute for coffee, but it combines a slightly nutty and woody flavor.

This flowering plant is used to treat loss of appetite, upset stomach, etc. Chicory may be beneficial in many respects, but it can be hazardous for you only if you begin to use it more often. The answer to the question in the heading is that certainly, it may go bad if it is not looked after properly as it needs to be.

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How To Store Chicory

Chicory is a good ingredient to add to our diets. It is only good for us if we take it reasonably; however, it becomes unhealthy for us if we continue to use it in high quantities.

A person who uses chicory in excessive amounts is subjected to disorders such as bloating, abdominal pain, and belching. Therefore an insight into its side effects and storage techniques is essentially similar to the benefits.

To maximize its shelf life so that it will retain its quality and to bring it into our use the way we like is an important aspect to be dealt with. Any ingredient’s merits turn into demerits if we are inadequate to store it the way it needs.

So how can you maximize the shelf life of your chicory? How can you store it perfectly so that it does not get thrown into the bin most of the time you are about to use it whatsoever?

The first important point is not to buy them in excessive amounts because their shelf life reaches quickly. However, to prevent it from spoiling, follow the points we are mentioning below.

Avoid Keeping It At Room Temperature

Please do not leave it at room temperature as it will cause it to spoil readily and hence be thrown in the bin eventually.

Refrigerate Using Plastic Bag

It is not simply refrigerated. Rather there is a procedure with which you may store it effectively. Store it in a tightly sealed plastic bag in the fridge.

Refrigerate Using Damp Paper

A modification in the above preserving method where it was only kept in a sealed plastic bag is keeping it in a damp paper first and then putting it in the plastic bag. Then throw the plastic bag in the fridge.

Can You Freeze Chicory

Freezing is a good preserving technique to adopt while we are dealing with our everyday eatables. It is a good technique, but it is not encouraged to go for it every time we are interested in storing food.

It is not a good choice if it makes our meals lose their quality or taste. When it comes to Chicory, freezing it will cause harm to it. Freezing it is not encouraged because when you keep it in the freezer, it does not freeze well. Besides that, freezing it is not recommended in terms of quality.

How Long Does Chicory Last

For how long is your chicory going to last? The precise answer to that lies in the quality of your chicory that you have just bought and the storage conditions that you can provide it so that it remains fresh to consider using it.

Generally speaking, chicory’s shelf life is not years or weeks; rather, it goes bad quickly in a few days. If you keep it at room temperature, it goes bad even in a single or more or less in two days.

If you can keep it refrigerated all of the time in the refrigerator, it will usually last up to approximately 3 to 5 days. However, if you refrigerate it right after washing and then bring it into your use after a while, it will be your worst choice as moisture will cause it to damage earlier.

How To Tell If Chicory Has Gone Bad

Despite all of the things that we mentioned above, there is another important aspect that you must be familiar with. And that is how to conclude that either your chicory is good enough to use or it must be thrown straight away.

It is not perfect, though, but a fair source of telling you about spoilage of any of your meals is your senses. Your senses very well enough tell you about the quality of the food, and you know it is true in most cases.

So how are you going to use your senses to sense the signs of spoilage of your chicory? Read the article to figure that out.

Texture: If touching chicory gives you a slimy touch, it must be replaced with the fresh one.
Appearance: If the color begins to disappear, it is also a confirmation of its spoilage.
Smell: An off-odor is also a sign.

What does Chicory Look Like?

Chicory has different branches. It has scraggly looks. You will normally find it in gravel areas and open fields. The flowers of the Chicory plant are around 2 cm to 4 cm. The flowers have a wide appearance with light blue color. These flowers last from July to October.

Moreover, the leaves of Chicory look like dandelions. These are spaced alternatively. The upper portion of the stem contains smaller leaves than the other.

Where does Chicory Come From?

Chicory comes from its plant, botanically known as the Cichorium Intybus. This plant grows about 90 cm to 180 cm. It is usually found in roadsides, parking lots, grassy areas, weedy fields, and open areas. The Chicory plant also contains two different rows of involucral bracts. These are called inner and outer rows.

The inner rows are erect with comparatively longer sizes. While the outer rows have a higher tendency to spread and are comparatively shorter than the outer ones. The edible parts of this plant are roots, leaves, and flowers. However, most people prefer not to eat the flower.

How is Chicory Made?

Search for a suitable area and start planting the flower. While you flower Chicory, you will notice grooved, less hairy, and tough stems. These stems can grow around 4 ft. and 11 inches tall. Once the plants grow, flowers bloom, and leaves reach around 12 inches to 18 inches in height; the Chicory gets ready for harvesting.

Then, you should gently start pulling the plant from the soil, including its roots. Once done, start chopping off its roots. However, make sure to keep leaves undamaged. Now the Chicory is ready for use.

What Does Chicory Taste Like?

Chicory has a bit different taste. The flavor of the ground roots of Chicory resembles ground coffee beans. It has a very intense taste. It is warm, earthy, nutty, and woody. Moreover, people also use its leaves. However, its leaves are very bitter. That’s why most people do not eat its leaves in raw form.

How is Chicory Used in Cooking?

People often use Chicory leaves for cooking, while its roots are often used for making coffee and teas, etc. As stated above, its leaves have a bitter taste. That’s why it is not a good idea to use its raw form and add it to the recipe at the end. Instead, you should cook Chicory leaves and reduce their bitterness and add more flavor to the dish.

What Types of Cuisines Use Chicory?

Chicory is used in a wide range of cuisines all over the world. For example, they are used to make bread, ice creams, salads, cookies, cakes, etc. Some good dishes include Chicory steak salad and king cake bread pudding.

What is a Chicory Substitute?

You can find a lot of substitutes for Chicory. Few well-known substitutes of Chicory are kale, watercress, and radicchio. If you are using it as a drink, then coffee makes the best substitute for its roots.

Where to Buy Chicory?

You can search around the market to find Chicory. However, the best way to buy high-quality Chicory is using online platforms. That’s why we are suggesting some best products for you. These products are listed below.

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