Endive Facts
Endive Facts
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| Interesting Endive Facts: |
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| Most types of endive can reach 6 to 10 inches in height (rarely up to 24 inches). |
| Variety of endive called escarole has central head with smooth, upright, wide and flat, green leaves with serrated edges and thick leaf stalks. |
| Variety of endive called frisee has curly leaves that are much narrower compared with leaves of escarole. Both types of endive are chewier than lettuce. |
| Belgian endive has smooth, cream-colored leaves densely packed in torpedo-shaped heads. |
| Belgian farmer has "discovered" Belgian endive in 1830 when he found that roots of chicory can sprout and produce creamy-colored leafy heads when stored in wet, dark conditions. Even though this "new" plant is only a variety of common chicory, it soon became popular as new type of vegetables called "white gold", better known as "witloof" today. |
| Unlike Belgian endive, endive is cultivated in the rows in the fields, just like lettuce. |
| Endive produces pale blue flowers on top of the flowering stem. Flowers contain both types of reproductive organs (perfect flowers). |
| Endive blooms during the summer. Flowers attract bees that are responsible for the pollination of this plant. |
| Endive propagates via seed. |
| Endive is good source of vitamins A, K and vitamins of the B group and minerals such as manganese, copper, iron and potassium. |
| Endive has crunchy texture and robust, slightly bitter flavor. Leaves in the center have sweetish taste. Endive can be used for the preparation of salads, soups, stir-fries, curry or it can be cooked and consumed like spinach. Endive can be also mixed with other vegetables and used for the preparation of healthy juices. |
| Covering of endive with baskets, boxes or pots during a period of 2 to 4 weeks (process called blanching) is used to reduce amount of bitter compounds in the leaves. |
| Endive can prevent cataract, macular degeneration, anemia and development of certain types of cancer. It also aids digestion and improves function of liver and gallbladder. |
| Kaempferol, substance found in endive, has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-allergic properties. It also acts beneficially on the cardiovascular and nervous systems. |
| Endive can be cultivated as annual (life span: one year) or biennial plant (life span: 2 years). |
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Related Links: Facts Vegetables Facts Animals Facts Chicory Facts |