Chicory, which belongs to the Compositae family, is a vegetable that has a very good presence. It is wine red in color and has clusters of leaves dotted with white and greenish spots. Its leaves are crunchy, slightly bitter and have a pleasant flavor and aromatic texture. Chicory stands out for the touch of color it gives to any salad or dish.

Already consumed in the time of the Greeks and Romans, its origin is located in the areas of Mediterranean orchard cultivation. Today, it is grown mainly in Italy, as well as in Belgium and France.     

Chicory has purifying and diuretic properties. It also offers a high content of vitamins, especially vitamin C. Chicory has well-known uses in traditional medicine. Its leaves have healing properties for numerous ailments. Chicory infusion is recommended for appetite problems. 

It is an essential vegetable for salads. Its flavor mixes a slight sweetness with a bitter final touch that provides a pleasant freshness to the palate. Whether on its own, in a salad with salt, olive oil and a few drops of lemon juice, or mixed with other typical salad vegetables, it is an excellent, healthy and nutritious side dish that goes perfectly with any dish.      

Like most fresh vegetables, it is recommended to keep it in the fridge.