Chicory ..... ( Cichorium intybus
) 
Chicory ( Blue ) ..... © Harvey Kirsch DigiPixels_Image
 Chicory ( White ) ..... © Harvey Kirsch DigiPixels_Image
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Chicory is a member of the Sunflower Family. The plant blooms
from June thru Oct; with each flower lasting for one day. During the two world Wars, the root was gathered, roasted, ground, and sold as a substitute for coffee or added to coffee to extend it. It gives coffee a somewhat bitter taste. Coffee made from the chicory root alone does not contain any caffeine, cheating coffee lovers of that morning caffeine boost.
In Europe the root is roasted and served with butter. It also appears in European Winter Salads. The flower may also appear in pink or white. I found this white example along the shores of Lake Scugog. 
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