How to collect and dry chicory root and flowers at home
When it comes to chicory, one immediately remembers that it is a famous coffee substitute. However, the herb has many beneficial ingredients. Many do not even suspect that this plant is quite often found in desert meadows or along off-road terrain, like a common weed. Summer residents, who know the beneficial properties of this herb, try to care for it in their plots. How to properly collect, dry and harvest chicory for the winter, further in the material.
When and how to collect chicory
Chicory is in an active flowering phase for 3 months, from July to the end of September. The green part of this plant is harvested during this period. Cut off the top with flowers 30 centimeters long, without touching the rigid stems.
As for the part of the plant that grows underground, harvesting begins in the rainy season. In a period of high soil moisture, it is not difficult to remove the roots of chicory. For this procedure, the very beginning of spring is suitable, or late autumn - after wilting of the stems of the grass.
Anyone who wants to get the maximum benefit from the use of chicory collects rhizomes in the autumn period.
To get the roots neatly, you must first dig out the soil around the stem, then pull out the root. The most useful part of the plant is deep in the ground, so the use of a shovel is not necessary, as there is a risk of breaking off only the upper part of the grass. When growing grass at home, it is easy to follow the phases of its growth and flowering.
Harvesting chicory for the winter
To keep the chicory well in winter, the top and bottom of the plant are dried. Before harvesting the grass, you need to prepare it.
After collecting the upper part of the plant, the raw materials must be sorted out, removing yellowed spoiled branches, dirt particles and leaves damaged by pests. There is no need to wash the collected chicory stems. You can dry the twigs whole or cut into several parts. Many people grind the grass, for easy storage, into strips only 3 centimeters long.
Chicory roots should be removed from soil residues and washed thoroughly in water. Lateral small roots are torn off from the main rhizome, since they are not suitable for drying, most of all useful vitamins are contained in the main root.
Very long rhizomes can be cut into several pieces across, thick ones along.
How to dry grass
Places in the fresh air are considered suitable for drying chicory; many choose a balcony, veranda or canopy.The main thing is that the air circulates well, and the grass is protected from direct sunlight. The room is chosen with no high humidity, as this contributes to mold growth of raw materials. Cut branches of chicory are laid out on thick paper or fabric.
In order to prevent caking of the grass, the plants are periodically mixed during the drying process. Some craftsmen dry the grass in a dryer using temperatures up to 45 degrees Celsius. After two to three weeks, the green part of the plant will be dry.
How to dry the rhizome
The roots of a useful herb are also dried in two ways. This can be done by spreading it out on canvas or paper, leaving it outdoors in a dark place. Or using a dryer or oven preheated to no more than 40 degrees Celsius.
If you choose the natural way of drying the roots, the chicory will be ready for no more than 2 weeks. Before the procedure, the rhizome is cleaned of dirt and small spoiled lateral processes. Cut lengthwise or crosswise, if necessary.
How to determine if a product is ready
Distinctive features of the fact that the chicory has dried quite well - when squeezed between the fingers, the dried leaves turn into powder, and the stems emit a distinct crack when they break. If the top of the plant is dried in compliance with all conditions, during the drying process it will not change its natural shade.
Dried to the required stage, the roots acquire a light brown color, and inside they have a yellowish tint.
Storage methods
Thick paper bags, cloth bags, or cardboard boxes are great for storing the green top of the grass. Choose a dry place where there is no sunlight. A useful herb retains its healing components for 12 months.
Dried roots of a medicinal plant or a ground cyclic drink are recommended to be stored in a glass container in a dark dry place. Jars with blanks must be placed away from products that have a pungent or specific aroma. Taking into account all of the above recommendations, chicory coffee, as well as the dried roots of the plant, retain their beneficial qualities for 24 months.
The use of chicory blanks
Chicory root is the most popular coffee substitute. As you know, natural coffee contains a substance such as caffeine. This component is contraindicated in people suffering from certain diseases.
As for the chicory drink - there is no caffeine in it at all, but other beneficial substances are found in large quantities.
To make coffee from chicory roots, you need to grind fresh roots into several pieces no more than 10 millimeters thick. And then subject to heat treatment at a temperature of about 100 degrees Celsius for 12 hours.
Already dry pieces of roots need to be fried in a pan without the use of oil. When the chicory turns the color of a coffee beverage, the product is considered ready.
The specific aroma of chicory coffee is given by the essential oil, which is released during the roasting of the roots. The fried raw materials must be cooled, then chopped using a blender or coffee grinder.
Chicory drink is brewed both without adding grain components, and with them. Soy, barley, mountain ash, oats, dried carrots, or roasted almonds are usually chosen as additives. The proportion of these components is always different, depending on taste preferences.
Tea is also made from the powder of this medicinal herb. To do this, one teaspoon of the powder mixture should be boiled in water, the amount of which is approximately equal to one glass of water. After which the drink is allowed to brew. After 10 minutes, the drink is ready. By adding sugar, cream or milk, you can enjoy a fragrant tea with a bitter taste.
Drinks made from ground chicory have a positive effect on the state of the nervous system, give a sedative effect and, moreover, do not contain caffeine at all.
