I know you may be looking at the picture above and wondering, are those white carrots or weird shaped sweet potatoes? Close, but the answer is neither. They are actually called chicory roots. These roots create an incredible clean label ingredient that is used widely across the food and beverage industry called chicory root fiber, also known as inulin. This ingredient, often described as “inulin and chicory root”, embodies the essence of natural, clean-label functionality.
Inulin is a prebiotic fiber sometimes listed as polysaccharides and fructooligosaccharides – whoa, that’s a long word! These are just fancy terms for inulin’s sugar chains. While it’s technically a type of sugar, inulin behaves differently than regular sugar because you can’t digest it, so it has little to no impact on your blood sugar. Instead, inulin goes directly to your large intestine and works as a prebiotic that feeds your good stomach bacteria. So, if you’ve ever wondered, “what is chicory root inulin?” this article has you covered.
We’ll take you to the source and discuss what chicory root is all about, why it’s beneficial and how it can be used in food and beverage applications.
WHERE IS CHICORY ROOT GROWN?
Chicory is grown primarily in The Netherlands, Belgium and northern France. Chicory root is enjoyed in different ways, depending on the culture. In Europe, it’s not uncommon to find the root or the upper part of the plant served as an ingredient at a restaurant. Chicory root fiber has also been used for a long time as a coffee substitute.
During harvest time, the farmers carefully transport the chicory to the local processor where the roots are washed, cut and milled. Gentle techniques are used during this extraction process, because solvents and high heat can damage these precious, naturally occurring molecules. This process ensures that both inulin and chicory root are preserved in their natural state, delivering optimal functionality.
HOW WAS CHICORY ROOT FIBER DISCOVERED?
Chicory root fiber was first created in the 1980’s in Europe for food ingredient purposes. Initially, it was grown as a source of fructose, but shortly after it was discovered that there were many additional benefits coming from the chicory’s naturally occurring fructans. Chicory root fiber was created in both a powder and liquid version to suit various applications. For anyone asking, “what is chicory root fiber” in a modern formulation context, it is a versatile, clean label ingredient that provides both bulk and prebiotic benefits.
WHERE CAN CHICORY ROOT FIBER BE USED?
Chicory root fiber can be used in a range of food applications. Their properties make them ideal for improving texture, increasing fiber content, and enhancing the overall sensory experience in recipes. Chicory root fibers are a functional ingredient to add creaminess and body to dairy products, improve moisture retention in baked goods, or develop recipes for beverages.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CHICORY ROOT FIBER?
Inulin is not just a prebiotic fiber. The benefits of this magical ingredient pack a mighty punch. At Gillco, we source the Fibruline® chicory root fiber offerings from our partner supplier, Cosucra.
Overall Benefits
Functional benefits:
• Fat mimetic
• Bulking
• Masking
• Body & mouthfeel enhancement
• Flavor & texture improvement
• Displacement of full calorie carbohydrates and sugars
Health benefits:
• Digestive health
• Bone health
• Weight management
• Negligible impact on glycemic index
Bakery
Benefits:
•Positively impacts texture of gluten-free products and corn tortillas by improving mouthfeel and rheology
•Adds creaminess and improved mouthfeel in low fat bakery products
•Soluble fiber source
•Can be used as a partial replacement for flour
•Can replace part of the fat in fillings
•Excellent heat stability
Beverages
Benefits:
•Can be used as a bulking agent in reduced-sugar applications
•Modulates flavor of some high-intensity sweeteners
•Soluble fiber source
•Adds creaminess, increases body and mouthfeel
Confectionary
Benefits:
•Can be used as a bulking agent in reduced-sugar applications
•Modulates flavor of some high-intensity sweeteners
•Counteracts the cooling effect of erythritol due to a positive heat of solution which is effective in reduced sugar confectionery
•Soluble fiber source
•Adds creaminess and improved mouthfeel in low and reduced-fat confections
•Excellent heat stability
•Does not crystallize in low-moisture foods
Dairy & Dairy Alternatives
Benefits:
•Adds creaminess, increases body and mouthfeel
•Can be used as a bulking agent in reduced-sugar applications
•Modulates flavor of some high-intensity sweeteners
•Soluble fiber source
•Prebiotic source
•When combined with probiotics provides a symbiotic delivery promoting improved gut health
•Can improve calcium absorption in adolescent and post-menopausal women
•Excellent heat stability
The Bottom Line
Chicory root fiber is acknowledged as a reliable, multi-functional ingredient. It can do a lot of jobs while still enabling you to maintain a clean label. From a prebiotic that supports gut health to a texture enhancer and fat mimetic, chicory root fiber offers tangible benefits in both nutritional and sensory terms. When comparing chicory root fiber vs inulin, it’s clear both are valuable, but knowing what chicory root is and how it provides inulin can give you the edge in ingredient selection.
Interested in learning more or trying a sample? Contact us today. Let Gillco show you how integrating chicory root fiber into your formulations can set your products apart in a competitive market.