Cichorium endivia

Sementes de Cichorium endivia (endívia) para folhas de salada estaladiças e levemente amargas. Tipos frisée encaracolado e escarola de folha larga que prosperam em tempo frio e branqueiam bem.
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Cichorium endivia — endive

Cichorium endivia is the botanical name for endive, a leafy salad crop in the daisy family (Asteraceae) grown for its crisp, pleasantly bitter leaves. It is the species behind our endive range and a close cousin of chicory, with which it shares the genus Cichorium.

History & origin

Endive has been cultivated around the Mediterranean since antiquity and was well known to the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, who valued its bitter leaves both as food and as a tonic. It spread through Europe in the Middle Ages and became especially popular in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, where the broad-leaved escarole and the finely cut frisée types are kitchen staples. The genus name Cichorium comes from the classical name for these chicory-like plants, while endivia traces back through Latin to a word for the crop.

Botanical characteristics

Endive forms a low, spreading rosette of leaves rather than a tight head. There are two main groups: curly-leaved frisée, with finely divided, frilly foliage, and broad-leaved escarole (also called Batavian), with smoother, sturdier leaves. The hearts are often blanched by covering them, which softens the natural bitterness into a milder, nuttier sweetness. Like its relatives it is fast and easy in cool weather and sits comfortably among our fresh leafy greens.

Growing Cichorium endivia from seed

Endive thrives in cool conditions and is ideal for late summer and autumn salads when many other leaves have bolted. Sow direct or in modules, thin to give each plant room to spread, and keep the soil moist for tender growth. To reduce bitterness, blanch the hearts a couple of weeks before harvest by tying the outer leaves up or covering with a plate. Our vegetable growing guide covers the basics, and the vegetable sowing calendar shows the best windows for a steady supply.

Ready to grow your own crisp salad leaves? Browse the varieties below.

Related categories: Endive · Chicory · Fresh Leafy Greens · Lettuce · All Vegetables

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Qual é a diferença entre endívia e chicória?
Ambas pertencem ao género Cichorium. A endívia (Cichorium endivia) é cultivada pelas suas rosetas soltas de folhas frisadas ou largas para salada, enquanto a chicória (Cichorium intybus) inclui radicchio, sugarloaf e variedades de forçagem. Explore a chicória para a gama relacionada. Como posso reduzir o amargor da endívia?
Branqueie os corações durante uma a duas semanas antes da colheita, atando as folhas exteriores ou cobrindo a planta para excluir a luz — o centro fica mais pálido, suave e adocicado. Qual é a diferença entre frisée e escarola?
A frisée tem folhas finamente recortadas e frisadas, com uma textura delicada, enquanto a escarola (bataviana) tem folhas mais largas e lisas, mais resistentes e adequadas tanto cruas como cozinhadas. Quando devo semear endívia?
A endívia está no seu melhor como cultura de fim de verão e outono, semeada a partir do início do verão, quando o tempo fresco evita que espigue.