Do you grow chicory ?

[momol]

Last year I bought a pack of mesclun (French) and grew them as baby salad from early spring to autumn (actually until now).
There were : rocket, lolo rosso, iceberg...variegated chicory.
A day ago I just harvested the chicory (picture attached), not only it is very attractive, it also taste yum and less bitter than the white one.

Has any grapes grown any chicory to be eaten during winter ?
Which chicory is recommended for less bitter taste and easy growing ?

Many thanks in advance .

[veg4681]

Sorry not really replying to the thread as I haven't grown them myself. It's looks very impressive and looks like lettuce but I get awfully confused with lettuce, various salad leaves, radiccio, chicory, endive, celtuce . So mesclun mixed salad leaves are a mixture of different leaves that would otherwise be sold separately. I think I wouldn't be too bothered with growing chicory if they're too similar to lettuce yet suffer from bitter aftertaste that can be off putting.

I would however be interested in growing forcing chicory one day but it's incredible you have to grow the tubers in the summer, pull them out and force them out in the dark indoors as winter salad. They're worth it as they're incredibly expensive to buy in supermarket too.

[momol]

I can get lots of chicory here Veg, they are normal white ones.
During it's peak seasons, it cost almost nothing really ( 1.15eur / 1.5 kg) but during winter is a bit more expensive (1.15/0.5kg) but still ok. I am not complaining about the price really, just want to have non bitter chicory. The white chicory is often with bitter taste which I don't like .
This variegated chicory is actually very mild, I tasted the outer leaves raw, it was a bit bitter (the centre ones were sweet)but after blanching, no bitterness at all.
I like the texture and taste of this Variegated Chicory better than lettuce.

Just thought if I could get better recommendations than it .

[johnygreenfeet]

i will be growing chicory (zoom f1) to force dont like it myself its for oh she is from france that should explain its self

[muckdiva]

I grow Witloof chicory, and force it in covered pots through the Winter. Very easy, and lovely to have as a fresh, crispy salad in the depths of the cold weather. It needs a strongish dressing to counteract its slight bitterness IMO.

[momol]

Thanks for all your reply . After doing some reading, finally I found out, the one I got is the mildest chicory. Will grow it again for it's taste and beauty .

[TonyF]

I don't grow it because it's so cheap here - white and red varieties - I don't think it's worth it because I'm the only one that eats it - J can't stand it tho she does like the very young leaves in Mesclin.