Organic Chicory Witlof Alba - Ferme de Sainte Marthe seeds - Cichorium intybus

Alba Witloof Chicory is an easy-to-grow, hardy variety. The firm heads can be forced outdoors in the vegetable garden or a cellar. It is delicious eaten raw in salads or braised. Sow from May to June and harvest five months later.

Witloof chicory (Cichorium intybus foliosum) is an herbaceous plant in the Asteraceae family. It is commonly known as chicon, Belgian endive, or endive. However, true endives belong to a closely related species, Cichorium endivia. The most common cultivated forms are escarole and “frisée” (curly) endive.

Witloof differs from other cultivated forms of chicory in that it is grown in three stages: first, it is sown outdoors in spring; in the Autumn, the plants are lifted, the leaves are trimmed off, and the roots are stored in sand; and finally, they are forced in a cool, dark place until firm, tight heads form and are ready to be harvested (approximately three weeks later).

Although this may seem like a tedious crop to grow, it is gratifying! The beautiful white heads have a distinctive bitter taste that is delicious when eaten raw and cooked. They are fabulous chopped up in a salad with walnuts, blue cheese and a drizzle of honey dressing. In France, chicory heads are traditionally baked whole in bechamel sauce. Witloof has numerous health benefits, including boosting the immune system, easing digestion and reducing inflammation.

Harvesting: Roots are lifted in October-November and stored in sand until forced. For more extended harvests, forcing can be staggered.

Storage: witloof chicory stores well in a cool, dark place. It is often sold wrapped in blue paper to protect the blanched leaves from the light.

Good to know: hoeing and weeding around your plants regularly will help keep the weeds in check. Mulching is a great way to moisten the soil, especially during dry spells.

NB. Organic seeds (in French "AB" for "Agriculture Biologique") are produced from plants that aren't treated with phytosanitary products (insecticides, weed killers). The seeds do not undergo post-harvest treatment. They carry the AB label and are approved by Ecocert, an independent structure.