7 best chicory coffees for a classic New Orleans brew

There’s a certain satisfaction that comes from a ritual, whether it’s checking the fences at dawn or settling in with a good cup of coffee after the morning chores are done. That first sip can set the tone for the entire day, and for a truly unique and resourceful brew, nothing compares to New Orleans style chicory coffee. It’s a tradition born from necessity that blossomed into a beloved flavor profile, much like a cover crop that ends up improving the soil in ways you never expected.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

The Tradition of Chicory in New Orleans Coffee

The story of chicory coffee is one of practicality and making do, a principle any farmer understands well. During the American Civil War, Union naval blockades choked off the port of New Orleans, causing a massive coffee shortage. Resourceful locals, influenced by French culinary traditions where chicory was already used as a coffee extender or substitute, began roasting, grinding, and brewing the root of the chicory plant to stretch their dwindling coffee supplies.

What started as a measure of thrift became a celebrated local preference. The roasted chicory root adds a slightly bitter, almost chocolatey flavor and a heavier body to the coffee, cutting the harshness of the dark roasts popular in the region. The chicory plant itself (Cichorium intybus) is a hardy perennial with a deep taproot, not unlike some of the stubborn weeds we manage, but when cultivated and roasted, it yields a flavor that has defined a city’s coffee culture for over 150 years.

This tradition isn’t just about flavor; it’s about a mindset. It’s about taking a common, humble plant and turning it into something special. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best solutions aren’t the most expensive or exotic, but the ones growing right under our feet.

Café Du Monde: The Quintessential NOLA Experience

If you want the taste of the French Quarter in a can, this is it. Café Du Monde is not just a coffee; it’s a landmark, synonymous with beignets and the bustling energy of New Orleans. The flavor is bold, dark, and unapologetically potent, with a significant chicory presence that gives it a characteristic bittersweet finish.

This is the blend for the purist, the person who wants to replicate that iconic café experience without compromise. It’s not a subtle coffee. It’s a dark, thick, and powerful brew that stands up perfectly to the traditional addition of scalded milk for a café au lait.

If you crave the most authentic, tourist-approved New Orleans flavor and aren’t afraid of a strong, slightly bitter cup, Café Du Monde is your benchmark. It’s the standard by which all other chicory coffees are judged, and for good reason. For anyone wanting to understand this tradition, starting here is non-negotiable.

Community Coffee: A True Louisiana Household Staple

While tourists line up at Café Du Monde, many Louisiana locals have a bag of Community Coffee in their pantry. This blend is the everyday workhorse of chicory coffees, offering a smoother and more balanced profile. It still delivers that classic dark roast and chicory combination, but with less of the sharp, bitter edge found in more intense blends.

Think of this as the reliable coffee you can drink every single morning. The chicory is present enough to provide that distinctive body and flavor, but it harmonizes with the coffee beans rather than dominating them. It’s a consistent, dependable brew that satisfies the craving for a New Orleans style cup without overwhelming the palate.

For someone seeking a daily chicory coffee that is rich and flavorful but also approachable and smooth, Community Coffee is the clear choice. It’s a true taste of Louisiana, trusted by generations for its consistent quality and balanced flavor.

French Market Coffee: A Dark and Robust Classic

French Market is another heritage brand that commands a loyal following, sitting somewhere between the intensity of Café Du Monde and the smoothness of Community. This blend leans heavily into the dark roast character of its 100% Arabica beans, delivering a smoky, robust, and full-bodied cup. The chicory complements this profile by adding depth and a touch of sweetness.

This is the coffee for the dedicated dark roast lover. If you appreciate a brew that is bold, aromatic, and has a rich, lingering finish, French Market delivers. It’s an excellent choice for a French press, where its complex, smoky notes can be fully expressed.

If you want a powerful, smoky, and deeply roasted chicory coffee that stands on its own, French Market is the one to get. It’s a classic, no-nonsense brew that honors the tradition with exceptional depth of flavor.

Luzianne Coffee & Chicory: The Best Value Blend

Luzianne is a brand famous for its iced tea, but don’t overlook its coffee. Their Coffee & Chicory blend is arguably the best value on the market, offering a solid, traditional flavor at a price point that’s hard to beat. The flavor profile is milder than the other major New Orleans brands, making it an excellent entry point for those new to chicory.

The chicory here is less pronounced, resulting in a brew that is smooth, low in acidity, and very easy to drink. It’s a great all-purpose choice for a big pot of coffee that needs to please a crowd. You get the essence of the New Orleans style without the assertive bitterness that can be off-putting to some.

For the budget-conscious household or the person just curious about chicory coffee, Luzianne is the smartest buy. It provides a pleasant introduction to the style without a big commitment.

Folgers Chicory Coffee: The Most Accessible Pick

Sometimes, the best tool is the one you can get your hands on easily. Folgers Noir Coffee & Chicory brings the New Orleans tradition to nearly every grocery store aisle in the country. While it may not have the deep-rooted heritage of the Louisiana brands, it’s a surprisingly competent and accessible option.

This blend is part of their "Noir" line, meaning it’s a dark roast, but it’s balanced for a mainstream palate. The chicory adds a pleasant smoothness and depth, making for a rich cup that is familiar yet distinct. It’s a reliable choice when you can’t find the specialty brands or need to grab something on a routine shopping trip.

If convenience is your top priority, Folgers is the pick. It’s a solid, widely available introduction to chicory coffee from a brand you already know.

Grady’s Cold Brew: Best for New Orleans Iced Coffee

Brewing hot coffee and chilling it for iced coffee is one way to do it, but a dedicated cold brew concentrate is often better. Grady’s Cold Brew offers a New Orleans-style "bean bag" kit that makes brewing exceptional iced coffee incredibly simple. The blend of coffee, chicory, and spices is specifically formulated for the cold brewing process, yielding a concentrate that is smooth, bold, and low in acid.

This isn’t your standard ground coffee; it’s a purpose-built system. The result is a consistently delicious, chocolatey, and spiced brew that is the perfect foundation for a New Orleans-style iced coffee, with or without milk and sugar. It takes the guesswork out of the process.

For anyone who primarily drinks iced coffee and wants that authentic chicory flavor without the fuss, Grady’s is the definitive choice. It’s a specialized product that excels at its one job.

Worldwide Botanicals: Pure Chicory for Blending

For those of us who like to control our inputs, buying a pre-made blend isn’t always the answer. Worldwide Botanicals offers French roasted chicory root granules with nothing else added. This isn’t coffee; it’s the pure ingredient, giving you complete control to create your own custom chicory coffee blend.

This is the path for the tinkerer. You can add a spoonful to your favorite dark roast to create a subtle NOLA-style brew or mix it in a higher ratio for a bold, traditional cup. You can even brew it on its own for a naturally caffeine-free herbal beverage with a surprisingly coffee-like character.

If you want ultimate control over your coffee’s flavor profile and enjoy the process of creating your own blends, pure chicory root is the only way to go. It puts you in the driver’s seat, allowing you to tailor the chicory’s rich, bittersweet notes to your exact preference.

What to Look For in a Chicory Coffee Blend

When you’re choosing a chicory coffee, you’re essentially managing a few key variables, not unlike planning a crop rotation. Understanding them helps you get the result you want.

First, consider the coffee-to-chicory ratio. While most brands don’t list the exact percentage, you can get a good idea from the flavor description. Brands like Café Du Monde have a high chicory content, leading to a more intense, bittersweet flavor. Blends like Luzianne or Community are more coffee-forward, offering a smoother, more balanced cup.

Second, look at the roast level. New Orleans style coffee is almost always a medium-dark to dark roast. This deep roasting develops the smoky, chocolatey notes in the coffee beans that pair so well with the roasted chicory root. A darker roast will provide a bolder, more traditional flavor.

Finally, check the grind size. Most chicory coffees come in a fine or "drip" grind. This is ideal for auto-drip coffee makers and the traditional French drip pot. If you plan to use a French press, a finer grind can sometimes lead to sediment, so you may need to adjust your plunge time accordingly.

How to Brew the Perfect New Orleans Style Cup

The traditional method for brewing New Orleans coffee is with a French drip pot, which slowly lets hot water seep through the grounds, creating a strong, thick concentrate. However, you don’t need special equipment to make a great cup. A standard auto-drip machine works perfectly well; just use slightly more grounds than you would for regular coffee to achieve that signature strength. A French press is also an excellent choice for extracting the deep, robust flavors.

The real key to the New Orleans experience is how you serve it. The classic café au lait is made with equal parts strong, hot chicory coffee and scalded milk (heated just until bubbles form around the edge of the pan). Avoid boiling the milk, as it can scorch and ruin the flavor. The hot milk tames the coffee’s bitterness and creates a rich, creamy beverage that is perfect on its own or alongside a sweet pastry.

For an iced coffee, brew the coffee extra-strong to stand up to the melting ice. Let it cool, then pour it over a full glass of ice and top with your milk of choice and a touch of sweetener if desired. The bold, bittersweet character of the chicory blend is exceptionally refreshing when served cold.

Embracing chicory coffee is about more than just trying a new flavor; it’s about connecting with a tradition of resilience and ingenuity. It’s a testament to making something extraordinary from simple, earthy ingredients. Whether you choose a classic blend or mix your own, you’re participating in a piece of American culinary history with every cup.