Chickory, Chicory
Cichorium intybus

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A perennial herb up to 1 m high. It forms clumps. It has white, milky sap when parts are broken off. Kinds have been selected either for their fattened edible roots or for their edible leaves. The plant has a large taproot. The leaves are sword shaped and have teeth along the edge. The leaves form a cluster around the base of the plant. They can be 12 cm long. The leaves up the stem clasp the stem. The highest leaves are reduced to bracts. It has a bright blue, pink or white flowers on a branched stem. The flowers are dandelion-like. The flower heads can be 3.5 cm across. Several cultivated varieties have been produced.

There are about 9 Cichorium species. Tubers are rich in inulin and sugar.

Where it is found

A Mediterranean plant. It grows in the highlands in the tropics. In Java it grows above 1,000 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Tasmania Herbarium. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azores, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary Islands, Caucasus, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, China, Crete, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, East Africa, Easter Island, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Falklands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hawaii, Himalayas, Holland, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Norway, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Swaziland, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, West Africa, West Indies, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves and plant are eaten raw or cooked. They are bitter. Young leaves are less bitter. They are used in soups. The roots of some kinds are dried, roasted and powdered then added to coffee. The flowers can be used in salads. The large blanched heads are steamed or served raw. A chewing gum is produced from the sap.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Mainly in the gardens of expatriates within Papua New Guinea. It is also foraged from the wild and supplied to restaurants. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, stems, roots, herb, spice, vegetable, flowers

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed are sown 15 mm apart, in rows 20 cm apart. Seedlings do not transplant easily. Young tender shoots are formed by stripping roots of their leaves then covering with soil. Roots the size of a parsnip are harvested. These are then planted upside down in trenches in sand and after a few weeks more soil is added to exclude all light. The chicons are ready to use in 9-12 weeks.

Roasted chicory is made by digging up the taproot washing them cutting and drying the root then roasting.

Its other names

Local names

Achicoria, Achicoria silvestre, Aci ot, Adghorro, Asparagus chicory, Belgian endive, Bouagad, Cakankam Camarroja, Catalonia, C'corji, Cekanka obecna, Chicorias, Chicoree, Chi-ko-ri, Cicoria selvatica, Cicoria, Cicuriedde, Cigorini, Cikorija, Cizdankus, Craver, Cykoria the traveller, Egherd, Escarola borda, Found kash, Han, Hindlauf, Hindiba, Hinidibag, Indivia, Jangli hand, Kasani, Kashini, Kasini, Kasni, Katang, Keklik otu, Khap'arai, Koffiecichorei, Mavihindiba, Navadni potrošnik, Pikroradiko, Posh hand, Puntarelle, Radic, Radicchio di campo, Radicchio, Radiki, Sakizotu, Shamakay, Shamokeo, Sicoria, Sicorio, Sickouria, Sigur, Solltlangech, Succory, Talisk, Tchartchatuk, Tsikorii, Tuhovnik, Vad cikoria, Vodopija, Witloof, Xiaokucai, Xicoira, Yabani hindiba, Zichorie, Zicorio, Zucenica, Zutanca, Zutanica

Synonyms

Cichorium intybus var. foliosum Hegi; Cichorium intybus var. sativum (Bisch.) Janch.;