Chicory Ratio Guide: 80:20, 70:30, 60:40 or 50:50?
How each coffee-to-chicory ratio changes strength, caffeine, bitterness and price, and how to pick the right one for your cup.
The ratio on a bag of chicory filter coffee decides almost everything: strength, caffeine, bitterness, colour and price. Here is what each common ratio does to the cup.
The Four Ratios
80:20 - the classic
Coffee still leads. You get aroma and a gentle, rounded finish. This is the default for most South Indian homes and most filter coffee brands. About 310 mg caffeine per 30g cup with Arabica.
Caffeine: ~310 mg per 30 g cup80% coffee / 20% chicory
70:30 - mellow and full
Noticeably thicker and less bitter, with a caramel-earthy finish. A good middle ground if 80:20 tastes a little thin in milk. About 275 mg per cup.
Caffeine: ~275 mg per 30 g cup70% coffee / 30% chicory
60:40 - strong and dark
A heavy, bittersweet decoction. The coffee flavour is quieter and the chicory is obvious. It suits very milky coffee. About 235 mg per cup.
Caffeine: ~235 mg per 30 g cup60% coffee / 40% chicory
50:50 - thick and economical
Half chicory. Very dark, very thick, strongly earthy, and the cheapest per kg. About 195 mg per cup. Best if you like the chicory taste, not as a coffee-first blend.
Caffeine: ~195 mg per 30 g cup50% coffee / 50% chicory
How to Pick
- You want the most coffee flavour: 80:20 or lower chicory.
- You drink a lot of milk coffee: 70:30.
- You want a thick, dark decoction: 60:40.
- You want to cut caffeine and cost: 50:50.
More chicory also costs less: Gray Cup's Value Blends run from ₹760 per kg at 80:20 to ₹590 per kg at 50:50, because chicory is cheaper than coffee.
Tips
Chicory extracts faster and darker than coffee, so a higher-chicory blend needs less powder per cup. Start with a little less than you would use for 80:20 and adjust.
