The coffee is served Black or Au Lait, which means that it is mixed half and half with hot milk. In 1988 both soft drinks and Iced Coffee were introduced to the Caf . According to Caf officials, the taste for coffee and chicory was developed by the French during their civil war. Coffee was scarce during those times, and they found that chicory added body and flavor to the brew. The Acadians from Nova Scotia brought this taste and many other French customs to Louisiana.
Chicory is the root of the endive plant, which is a type of lettuce.
The root of the plant is roasted and ground and is added to the dark roasted coffee to soften its bitter edge. It adds an almost chocolate flavor to the Cafe Au Lait served at Cafe Du Monde. These were fried fritters, sometimes filled with fruit. Today, the beignet is a square piece of dough, fried and covered with powdered sugar. They are served in orders of three for a dollar and change.