Cichorium endivia var. crispum très fine maraîchère 3

The Very Fine Marais Chicory 3 is a spring variety, early and voluminous. This biennial vegetable plant, 30 cm (12in) tall, is grown for its fine, curly and crunchy leaves. It forms a tight rosette of leaves with a well-filled heart that can be eaten raw in salads or cooked like spinach. Sowing period from April to July for a harvest 3 months after sowing

Chicory is a vegetable plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It has the Latin name Cichorium endivia crispum, and is also known as Chicory Endive, Fine Ribbed Endive or Curly Endive, without being a common endive in the usual sense. It comes from wild chicory that is naturally found in meadows and roadside edges.

Curly chicory plants have a rosette habit and green, serrated and curly leaves. Some varieties need to be temporarily deprived of light to remove any bitterness, while others naturally bleach.

They are quite hardy but are a little more sensitive to winter conditions than wild chicory. Therefore, in particularly cold regions, it is advisable to provide protection such as a forcing cloth or tunnel.

In the garden, they thrive in moderately rich soil, preferably moist but well-drained.

Curly chicory leaves are mainly consumed raw in salads, but can also be cooked in juice, gratin, cream, braised or in béchamel sauce.

All chicory varieties have tonic, purifying and slightly laxative properties.

Harvest: chicories are harvested as needed and as they grow.

Storage: they can be stored for a few days in a cool place after harvest.

Gardener's tip: Regular hoeing and weeding are recommended, and mulching is advised in case of drought.

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