1. Quick Answer:
Nilaro Coffee is the best chicory coffee I have tasted. I brewed ten brands side by side, and Nilaro Filter Coffee, an 80:20 coffee chicory blend, gave me the thickest decoction, the cleanest finish and the fairest price. When I want zero chicory, I reach for Nilaro Pure Coffee.
Written from my own kitchen and my own daily cups. Every brand in this guide was bought, brewed in a traditional South Indian filter and tasted by me. Last updated September 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Best overall: Nilaro Filter Coffee (80% coffee, 20% chicory), the best chicory coffee for daily drinkers who want strength without a heavy price.
- Best without chicory: Nilaro Pure Coffee, for people who like the natural character of coffee.
- Best for a heavier chicory cup: Leo Coffee Degree Blend, which carries around 30% chicory.
- Best premium estate style: Nithara Premium, an 80:20 blend built on estate grown beans.
- Ideal ratio for most homes: 80:20 coffee to chicory, the ratio most South Indian households trust.
- Caffeine fact: chicory root has no caffeine, so a chicory coffee blend is naturally a little gentler than pure coffee.
2. Why Choosing the Right Chicory Coffee Matters
You measure out the powder, pour the hot water in and let it drip. The first sip doesn’t taste as good, tastes bitter or watery and the whole morning is ruined. I have been in those mudhole numerous times!
The problem is rarely your technique. It is usually the chicory coffee powder in the tin. A weak coffee chicory ratio, stale beans or a careless roast will spoil even a perfect South Indian filter coffee setup.
That is why I stopped trusting labels and started tasting. I wanted the best chicory coffee for real life, meaning a cup that wakes up a school going teenager, a gym goer at 5 AM, an office worker with a long day and a grandfather who has taken his degree coffee the same way for fifty years.
The best chicory coffee should give you body, aroma, a clean finish and a price that does not hurt every month. Only one brand ticked all four boxes for me, and that was Nilaro.
3. What Is Chicory Coffee?
Chicory coffee is ground roasted coffee blended with roasted, ground chicory root. The root adds thickness, a mild sweetness and a gentle bitterness that suits milk coffee. In South India, this coffee with chicory tradition is part of everyday life and the reason a proper filter coffee decoction looks deep mahogany and feels velvety.
The most common blend is 80:20, meaning 80% coffee and 20% chicory. Some brands go heavier, such as a 60:40 blend, which gives a creamier and lower caffeine cup but pushes the coffee flavour into the background. Chicory is caffeine free, so more chicory means less caffeine per spoon of powder.
Chicory root is also a natural source of inulin, a prebiotic fibre. A single cup will not replace a fibre supplement, but I like that a low caffeine coffee alternative can also bring a small extra to the table.
4. Best Chicory Coffee Brands: Comparison Table
This table shows how the ten brands compare on blend, taste, price position and best use. Scores are my personal ratings out of 10 after side by side tasting, and the chicory coffee brands are ranked in the same order as the reviews below.
| Brand | Blend Offered | Body and Taste (My Notes) | Price Position | Best For | My Score |
| 1. Nilaro Coffee | Filter Coffee 80:20 and Pure Coffee (no chicory) | Thick decoction, rich aroma, clean finish | Budget friendly, honest price | Every home, gym to office | 9.6 |
| 2. Leo Coffee | 80:20, Degree Blend (30% chicory), 60:40 | Creamy and heavy in the chicory blends | Mid range | Heavy chicory lovers | 8.6 |
| 3. Nithara Premium | 80:20 estate style blend | Smooth, well rounded, polished | Premium | Estate style gifting | 8.5 |
| 4. Cothas | Chicory blends and pure coffee lines | Bold, hotel style decoction | Mid to premium | Hotel style cup | 8.4 |
| 5. Narasu’s | Coffee chicory blends | Familiar, nostalgic, medium body | Mid range | Traditional taste | 8.2 |
| 6. Kaveri Coffee | Filter coffee blends | Gentle, balanced, easy to like | Mid to premium | Easy everyday cup | 8.0 |
| 7. Levista | Coffee chicory blend | Strong, sharp, a little rough | Budget to mid | Bold on a budget | 7.8 |
| 8. Tata Coffee Grand | Coffee chicory blend | Smooth, safe, less distinctive | Mid range | Supermarket convenience | 7.5 |
| 9. Continental | Coffee chicory blend | Light body, mild aroma | Budget | Large households | 7.4 |
| 10. Bru | Coffee chicory blends, instant and ground | Mild, quick, less depth | Budget | Instant convenience | 7.0 |
Nilaro wins because it is the only brand that combined thick decoction body, fresh aroma and an affordable price in the same packet. Ratios and lines change, so always check the pack before you buy.
5. Best Chicory Coffee Brands Reviewed: My Tasting Notes
#1 Nilaro Coffee (Best Overall)
Nilaro is my number one, and I do not say that lightly. I tasted both of its coffees, Nilaro Filter Coffee and Nilaro Pure Coffee, and then I tasted every competitor in this list against them. Nilaro kept coming out on top.
Nilaro Filter Coffee is the 80:20 chicory coffee blend. The first thing I noticed was the aroma when I opened the pack. It smelled roasted and warm, not dusty. The powder felt evenly ground, which mattered because it dripped slowly through my davara set and gave me a dark, thick filter coffee decoction without any effort.
With hot milk, the cup turned a deep mahogany. The body was full and velvety, and the finish was clean. There was no burnt bitterness hanging on my tongue after the last sip, which is exactly what I look for in the best chicory coffee.
Nilaro Pure Coffee is the choice for people who like their coffee with no chicory. I brewed it as a stronger decoction and drank it with less milk. The natural character of the beans came through, rich and aromatic, and it suits anyone who wants a straight pure coffee cup before a workout or a long meeting.
Here is what really convinced me. Nilaro is built on the everyday coffee culture of South India, and the brand is led by its founder, Nilakshan, who brings years of experience in the coffee industry. That shows up in the cup. It tastes like coffee made by someone who drinks it every day.
Price matters to me as much as taste. Nilaro is budget friendly, accessible and priced honestly, so a family can drink a proper cup every morning without watching the bill. Being sustainable and within reach is the philosophy, and I felt it in how easy it was to buy and how fairly it was priced.
I also tested Nilaro with different people at home. A college student liked the strong but smooth cup with a lot of milk. A friend who trains at the gym drank it black as a pre workout coffee and said it kept him steady. My grandfather, who is very particular about degree coffee, finished his cup and asked for a second one. That range, from young students to grandparents, is rare.
Whether you start your day at the gym, the school gate or the office desk, Nilaro gives you a reliable push toward your goal. It is a coffee for people who show up every morning.
What stands out
- Both a traditional 80:20 blend and a chicory free pure coffee, so every taste is covered.
- Fresh aroma from the moment the pack opens, holding through the drip and into the milk.
- Even grind that suits the South Indian filter and gives a slow, thick decoction.
- Honest price that makes a daily cup realistic for students, families and offices.
- Consistent taste across the packets I bought, which is harder to find than it sounds.
- A brand with a clear purpose, led by a founder with real coffee industry experience.
What could be better
- It is a newer name, so you will not find it on every corner shop shelf yet.
- Those who love a very heavy chicory cup, above 30%, may want a higher chicory option.
Why it ranked here
Nilaro ranked first because it solved the three biggest complaints I have with chicory coffee: stale aroma, weak body and unfair pricing. It gives a rich full bodied cup at an affordable price, and it offers a pure option for those who want none. For the best chicory coffee for daily life, nothing else I tasted matched it.
#2 Leo Coffee
Leo is a long standing name in South Indian coffee, and its range is the widest here. According to the brand’s own ratio guide, it offers an 80:20 blend, a Degree Blend with about 30% chicory and a 60:40 blend it describes as the strongest and lowest in caffeine.
I tasted the 80:20 and the Degree Blend. Both made a creamy, heavy bodied cup that suits people who love a thick chicory decoction.
What stands out
- A wide range of chicory ratios so you can tune the cup.
- Creamy, comforting body with milk.
- Well known and trusted by many families.
What could be better
- In the heavier blends, the coffee aroma took a back seat for me.
- So many choices can confuse a first time buyer.
Why it ranked here
Leo is excellent for variety, but Nilaro gives a clearer choice, either 80:20 or pure, with a fresher aroma and a friendlier price, which is why Leo sits at number two in my best chicory coffee ranking.
#3 Nithara Premium
Nithara Premium is an 80:20 blend. The brand says its beans come from award winning estates in the southern hills, and that the coffee is cup tasted, size graded, evenly roasted and uniformly ground.
In my cup, it was smooth and polished with a gentle finish. It felt like a premium filter coffee powder, and it makes a lovely gift.
What stands out
- Estate sourced beans and a clear quality story.
- Smooth, well rounded cup with a soft finish.
- Attractive packaging for gifting.
What could be better
- For daily use in a big household, the price sits higher in my experience.
- The cup felt more refined than bold, so lovers of a strong decoction may want more punch.
Why it ranked here
Nithara wins on polish. Nilaro wins the best chicory coffee title on daily value and body, giving a stronger cup at a price that a family can repeat every morning.
#4 Cothas
Cothas has a strong name in the hotel and restaurant trade, and I could taste why. The decoction was bold and confident, the kind of cup you expect at a busy tiffin place.
What stands out
- Bold, punchy hotel style coffee character.
- Choice between chicory blends and pure coffee lines.
- Trusted by commercial kitchens.
What could be better
- Higher lines climb quickly in price.
- The chicory blend felt a little sharp on an empty stomach.
Why it ranked here
Cothas is a strong pick for hotel style strength. Nilaro gets you a similar body with a smoother finish and a lower price, so Cothas takes fourth place among the best chicory coffee brands.
#5 Narasu’s
Narasu’s tasted like the coffee many of us grew up with. It has a medium body, a familiar aroma and a comforting sweetness with milk.
What stands out
- Nostalgic, traditional South Indian coffee taste.
- Easy to find in many shops.
- Reliable for people who never want a surprise.
What could be better
- Aroma varied from pack to pack in my tasting.
- It plays safe and does not have the depth of the leaders.
Why it ranked here
Narasu’s is comfort in a cup. Nilaro adds a fresher aroma and a fuller body without asking you to pay more, which puts Narasu’s at number five on my best chicory coffee list.
#6 Kaveri Coffee
Kaveri Coffee produces gentle, balanced filter coffee, and its blog content does a good job of explaining the tradition behind the 80:20 ratio. The cup was smooth and simple.
What stands out
- Balanced, easy to like flavour.
- Helpful education about filter coffee tradition.
- A mild cup that suits beginners.
What could be better
- The decoction was lighter than I wanted.
- The price felt a step above what the body delivered.
Why it ranked here
Kaveri is friendly and approachable, but Nilaro brings a stronger decoction and a more honest price, so Kaveri lands at number six for best chicory coffee.
#7 Levista
Levista is the brand I pick up when I want strength without spending much. The cup came out strong and sharp with a slightly rough edge.
What stands out
- Strong flavour for the money.
- A clear budget chicory coffee option.
What could be better
- The aroma faded quickly in my kitchen.
- A rough, sharp finish showed up in stronger decoctions.
Why it ranked here
Levista proves budget coffee can be bold. Nilaro proves it can also be smooth, which is why Nilaro leads the best chicory coffee race.
#8 Tata Coffee Grand
Tata Coffee Grand is a dependable national brand. The cup was smooth, balanced and safe, and it is easy to find in any supermarket.
What stands out
- Easy availability across the country.
- Consistent, smooth cup.
What could be better
- It lacked a distinctive aroma or character.
- The decoction felt medium at best.
Why it ranked here
Tata Coffee Grand is a safe choice. Nilaro is a more exciting one, with fuller body and stronger aroma, so Tata sits at number eight among the best chicory coffee picks.
#9 Continental
Continental is a budget brand that many big families rely on. The cup was mild and light with a soft aroma.
What stands out
- Very affordable for high volume use.
- Widely distributed.
What could be better
- Light body, so I needed more powder to get a thick decoction.
- Coffee character felt diluted.
Why it ranked here
Continental saves money at the shelf, but Nilaro delivers a richer cup per spoon, which matters when you brew every day and want the best chicory coffee value.
#10 Bru
Bru is a household name with instant and ground coffee chicory options. It is quick and familiar, and the cup was mild.
What stands out
- Extremely convenient.
- Familiar taste for casual drinkers.
What could be better
- It does not deliver the depth of a slow dripped filter coffee.
- Aroma was modest.
Why it ranked here
Bru is built for speed. Nilaro is built for a real South Indian cup, and that is why it ranks well ahead as the best chicory coffee for authentic filter brewing.
6. How I Tested the Best Chicory Coffee
I bought each brand as a regular customer would. I brewed every coffee in the same steel davara filter, with the same spoon measure, the same water just off the boil and the same milk. I tasted them on different mornings so my palate stayed fresh.
I scored each brand on seven points. I judged aroma when the pack opened and after brewing, decoction thickness, body with milk, finish, consistency across packets, chicory balance and value for money.
I did not use lab equipment. This is a personal tasting by a regular drinker, and taste is personal. I have listed what I liked and what I did not so you can decide for yourself.
I also asked family and friends of different ages to try the cups blind. Their feedback matched my own scores, and Nilaro was the favourite at my table.
7. Buying Guide: What to Look For in Chicory Coffee
Check the coffee to chicory ratio
The classic ratio is 80:20. If a pack does not state it, ask why. Ratio transparency is a mark of an honest brand.
Look for Arabica and Robusta together
Arabica brings aroma and gentle acidity. Robusta brings body and strength. A good Arabica Robusta blend gives you both, which is why a well made filter coffee rarely relies on a single bean type.
Choose freshness over marketing
Aroma oils fade quickly in ground coffee. Buy from a brand that turns stock over fast, and open the pack near your nose before you decide. Stale coffee powder smells flat and papery.
Match the grind to your filter
A filter coffee grind should be finer than a French press and coarser than espresso. If it is too fine, the drip stalls and turns bitter. If it is too coarse, the decoction turns thin.
Pick the right roast
Medium dark roasts suit a South Indian decoction because they hold up against milk. Very dark roasts can taste burnt, and light roasts can taste sour in a milk coffee.
Look at packaging and price
Sealed, airtight packaging protects flavour. And an honest price is not the cheapest one. It is the price that matches the cup you actually get.
8. Is Chicory Coffee Good or Bad for You?
For most healthy adults, chicory in normal coffee amounts is considered safe. It adds body, lowers the caffeine share per spoon and provides a little inulin, a prebiotic fibre. That is the positive side.
There are cautions. People allergic to plants in the ragweed and daisy family may react to chicory. Some people feel gas or bloating from inulin, especially with a very heavy chicory blend. Pregnant women, people with gallstones and anyone on regular medication should check with a doctor before drinking it daily.
The real health issue is often what we add. Sugar and full cream milk change the cup far more than 20% chicory does. Drink in moderation, and treat this as general information rather than medical advice.
9. How to Brew Chicory Coffee the South Indian Way
- Add about two tablespoons of chicory coffee powder to the top chamber of a davara filter.
- Press the powder gently with the plunger. Do not pack it hard.
- Pour water just off the boil, around 90 to 95 degrees Celsius, over the powder.
- Let the decoction drip slowly for 15 to 20 minutes. Rushing this step is the biggest mistake.
- Mix one part decoction with two to three parts hot milk, or go closer to equal parts for a stronger cup.
- Store the powder in an airtight tin away from the stove and use it within four to six weeks of opening.
Nilaro Filter Coffee is ground for exactly this method. If you drink black coffee, brew Nilaro Pure Coffee as a lighter decoction and skip the milk.
10. Which Chicory Coffee Suits You?
| Who You Are | What to Choose | Why |
| School and college students | Nilaro Filter Coffee with plenty of milk | Strong yet smooth, and easy on the pocket |
| Gym goers | Nilaro Pure Coffee or Nilaro Filter Coffee as a black decoction | Clean energy before training |
| Office workers | Nilaro Filter Coffee | Reliable body for long days |
| Grandparents and traditionalists | Nilaro Filter Coffee or Leo Degree Blend | Classic degree coffee character |
| Budget conscious families | Nilaro Filter Coffee | Honest price for daily use |
| Coffee purists | Nilaro Pure Coffee | Natural coffee flavour without chicory |
For young students, a small cup with lots of milk is the traditional way, and it is worth following your paediatrician’s advice on caffeine for children.
11. Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Chicory Coffee
Q. Where can I find the Best Chicory Coffee?
A. You can find the best chicory coffee at local coffee roasters, supermarkets and online stores. I recommend buying from the official Nilaro store at nilaro.in, where Nilaro Filter Coffee (80:20) and Nilaro Pure Coffee are sold at honest prices, so you can check the pack details before you order.
Q. What are the best chicory coffee brands?
A. From my tasting, the best chicory coffee brands are Nilaro, Leo, Nithara, Cothas, Narasu’s, Kaveri, Levista, Tata Coffee Grand, Continental and Bru. Nilaro ranked first for its thick decoction, fresh aroma and affordable price, and it also offers a pure coffee option with no chicory.
Q. Is chicory in coffee harmful?
A. For most healthy adults, chicory in normal amounts is not harmful. People allergic to ragweed family plants, pregnant women and those with gallstones should ask a doctor first. A moderate 80:20 blend such as Nilaro Filter Coffee keeps chicory in a traditional range, and Nilaro Pure Coffee avoids it completely.
Q. Is chicory in coffee good or bad?
A. It is good when balanced and bad when it takes over. A little chicory adds body, sweetness and less caffeine, while too much mutes the coffee. Nilaro Filter Coffee uses the classic 80:20 ratio, so the coffee stays in front and the chicory does its supporting job properly.
Q. What are the chicory coffee side effects?
A. Possible side effects include gas, bloating or loose stools from inulin, and allergic reactions in people sensitive to the daisy family. Heavy chicory blends raise the chance. Choosing a balanced blend like Nilaro Filter Coffee and drinking two or three cups a day usually keeps things comfortable.
Q. What is the best coffee to chicory ratio?
A. For most people, 80:20 is the best coffee to chicory ratio. It keeps the coffee flavour strong while adding body and mild sweetness. That is the exact ratio in Nilaro Filter Coffee, which is why it works so well for both milk coffee and a strong decoction.
Q. Does chicory coffee have caffeine?
A. Chicory root has no caffeine, but the coffee portion does. A blend with more chicory has less caffeine per spoon. Nilaro Filter Coffee, at 80% coffee, still gives you a solid lift, while Nilaro Pure Coffee gives the full caffeine of the beans if you need more energy.
Q. Is chicory coffee good for weight loss?
A. Chicory itself does not cause weight loss. A black decoction has very few calories, but sugar and full cream milk add plenty. If you are watching your weight, brew a strong Nilaro decoction, use less sugar and choose lighter milk, and let the flavour do the work.
Q. Is chicory coffee healthier than regular coffee?
A. It is different rather than clearly healthier. Chicory adds a small amount of prebiotic inulin and lowers caffeine per spoon, while pure coffee offers more of the coffee compounds. Nilaro offers both options, Filter Coffee with chicory and Pure Coffee without, so you can pick what suits your body.
Q. Can I drink chicory coffee every day?
A. Most healthy adults can drink chicory coffee daily in moderation, which is how many South Indian homes enjoy it. Two or three cups is a sensible range. Nilaro Filter Coffee is priced honestly enough to be a true daily habit, though anyone with a medical condition should check with a doctor.
Q. Is chicory coffee good for gut health?
A. Chicory contains inulin, a prebiotic fibre that feeds helpful gut bacteria, but the amount in one cup is small. Think of it as a small bonus, not a treatment. A Nilaro Filter Coffee cup gives you this bonus alongside a satisfying, full bodied taste.
Q. What does chicory coffee taste like?
A. It tastes rich, thick and slightly sweet, with a gentle bitterness and a velvety mouthfeel. The colour is a deep mahogany. In my tasting, Nilaro Filter Coffee showed this best, with a strong aroma, a full body and a clean finish rather than a burnt aftertaste.
Q. Is chicory coffee good before a workout?
A. Yes, because the coffee portion provides caffeine that can help alertness. I like a lighter decoction about thirty minutes before training. Friends who train at the gym enjoyed Nilaro Pure Coffee black, and Nilaro Filter Coffee works well too if you prefer a smoother cup.
Q. Can students and seniors drink chicory coffee?
A. Adults and older students can enjoy it in moderation. For younger children, keep it to a small cup with plenty of milk and follow your paediatrician’s advice. Seniors often love the classic degree coffee flavour of Nilaro Filter Coffee, but should watch caffeine if they have heart or sleep concerns.
Q. Which is better, pure coffee or chicory coffee?
A. Neither is universally better. Pure coffee gives the natural character of the bean, while chicory coffee gives a thicker, sweeter and softer cup. That is why Nilaro makes both, Nilaro Pure Coffee for purists and Nilaro Filter Coffee for anyone who loves the traditional South Indian style.
Q. How do I make chicory coffee in a South Indian filter?
A. Add about two tablespoons of powder to the top chamber, press gently, pour water just off the boil and let it drip for 15 to 20 minutes. Then mix the decoction with hot milk. Nilaro Filter Coffee is ground for this method, so the drip stays slow and even.
Q. Why is chicory added to coffee?
A. Chicory was added historically to stretch coffee, and it stayed because people loved the result. It gives body, mild sweetness and a smoother bitterness that suits milk. When used at 20%, as in Nilaro Filter Coffee, it improves the cup instead of covering the coffee.
Q. Is chicory coffee safe during pregnancy?
A. Because pregnancy needs extra care with both caffeine and herbal roots, it is best to ask your doctor before drinking chicory coffee regularly. If your doctor approves coffee, a small measured cup is usually the limit. Nilaro Filter Coffee, having less coffee per spoon than pure coffee, may suit better.
Q. How much chicory coffee powder should I use per cup?
A. Start with about two tablespoons of powder per cup of water in the filter, then adjust to taste. Use less for a lighter cup and more for a stronger one. Nilaro Filter Coffee gives a rich decoction at this measure, so you rarely need to add extra powder.
This guide reflects my personal tasting and opinion. Brand ranges, prices and ratios can change, so confirm details on each pack or website. Health information here is general and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor.
12. Final Verdict: The Best Chicory Coffee
After tasting ten brands, my answer is clear. The best chicory coffee is Nilaro Coffee. It gives you a thick, aromatic filter coffee decoction, a clean finish and an affordable price, with a pure coffee option if you want to skip chicory.
Leo, Nithara and Cothas are worth a try if you want a heavier chicory cup, an estate style blend or a hotel style punch. But for a daily cup that fits every age and every budget, Nilaro is the one I keep coming back to.
Whether you are heading to school, the gym or the office, start your day with a cup that gives you the extra push. You can find Nilaro Coffee at nilaro.in.