I think chicory used to be a substitute to stretch coffee when the real thing was expensive and hard to come by. It was associated with poverty.

But like many foods once thought of as poverty food (like oysters and lobster) lots of people developed a taste for it.

But I have to say, I’m with you. I don’t absolutely hate chicory in coffee, but I didn’t see what the big deal is either. I like my coffee strong, black and uncut. But I don’t have anything against oysters at all. Lol!