What is the cichorium?

cichorium is a genus of several species of plants with blue bloom in the family Daisy, or asteraceae . Two of these species, known as chicory , are grown and have a long history. cichorium intybus or ordinary chicory is grown for their leaves, which are often used in salads. They are known as endive, Belgian endive or funny, among other things. One subspecies, sativum , is grown for its large roots, often used to replace coffee in some parts of the world. This species is sometimes confused with real endive, cichorium endivia , which has leaves that are also used as green salad. Normally wild plant grows to 2 to 4 feet (0.6 and 1.2 m) high, but some have been found to grow to 6 feet (1.8 m) high. Some varieties used as herbs for salads have wide leaves. Plants are perennials with flowers produced on hairy stems. Every day lasts only one day. Common chicory was introduced to northern AmericaIky and Australia and became naturalized. It is now considered to be weeds in the United States, especially in the fields of soybeans and corn without cultivation. This type of chicory is a common view between many roads in North America and Europe.

common chicory leaves are often used in salads such as red varieties together as Radicchio . Belgian endive is grown underground or inside in the dark. Plants grown without sunlight lack bitterness found in normal leaves. Belgium exports this special type of cichoria to many different countries. The chicory is more popular as a salad ingredient in Europe than in the US.

Common Chicory subspecies have a large root that is added to coffee or used as a coffee replacement. Is popular in many parts of the world, including the Southern US, the use of chicory as a replacement for coffee has gained popularity in difficult economic times, such asKé depression. However, the plant lacks caffeine.

It was found that this root contains a substance called inulin . It is a long chain of sugars that decompose during the roasting process to make fructose. This process is responsible for the sweetness of drinks made of chicory. The root of subspecies used as a coffee replacement has more inulin than in plants grown as a source of salad green.

cichorium is also used as feeding for milk cattle and sheep. The leaves are easily spent by animals. Its use as peaks is the most common in New Zealand. Wild chicory found in the US is a descendant of diversity that has been cultivated for animal feed.

Plant chicory is usually grown from seeds and do well in full sun when maintained. Lasts short periods of freezing. The timing of planting depends on the placement of the crop. For a Belgian endive, one should crop the leaves back, dig the roots and plant them diagonally in the sand in a dark, cool room. WhenThe style grows, harvested as a source of food used mainly in salads.

True endive is also grown from seeds in full sun. Plants should be 1 foot (0.3 m) apart. When the plants have grown to 1 foot (0.3 m) wide, the outer leaves should be pulled over the center and tied, so the center leaves lose their color and taste less bitter.