Chicory

n. type of plant, endive, Belgian endive

Chicory is the common name given to the flowering plants in genus Cichorium of the family Asteraceae. There are two cultivated species, and four to six wild species.Common chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a bushy perennial herb with blue or lavender flowers. Originating from Europe, it was naturalized in North America, where it has become a common roadside plant. The roots are baked, ground, and used as a coffee substitute and additive in the plant's Mediterranean region of origin, although its use as a coffee additive is still very popular in the American South, particularly in New Orleans. It is a staple in Cajun-style red-eye gravy. Common chicory is also known as blue sailors, succory, and coffeeweed. The plant is cultivated and used as endive under the common names radicchio, Belgian endive, French endive, or witloof. It is grown in complete darkness to keep new leaves tender and pale.
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Noun
1. the dried root of the chicory plant: used as a coffee substitute
(synonym) chicory root
(hypernym) root
(part-holonym) succory, chicory plant, Cichorium intybus
2. perennial Old World herb having rayed flower heads with blue florets cultivated for its root and its heads of crisp edible leaves used in salads
(synonym) succory, chicory plant, Cichorium intybus
(hypernym) herb, herbaceous plant
(member-holonym) Cichorium, genus Cichorium
(part-meronym) curly endive
3. root of the chicory plant roasted and ground to substitute for or adulterate coffee
(synonym) chicory root
(hypernym) coffee substitute
4. crisp spiky leaves with somewhat bitter taste
(synonym) curly endive
(hypernym) salad green, salad greens
(hyponym) radicchio
(part-holonym) succory, chicory plant, Cichorium intybus

(n.)
The root, which is roasted for mixing with coffee.
  

(n.)
A branching perennial plant (Cichorium Intybus) with bright blue flowers, growing wild in Europe, Asia, and America; also cultivated for its roots and as a salad plant; succory; wild endive. See Endive.
  

The roasted ground roots of a variety of perennial herbs related to the radicchio and curly endive. Caffeine-averse Germans discovered that chicory could be processed into a coffee substitute. In New Orleans, chicory spiked coffee and/or Cafe Au Lait is very popular. Caffeine-averse Germans discovered that chicory could be processed into a coffee substitute.