With his pale appearance, he practices elegant restraint. It impresses the palate with its crunchy consistency and delicately bitter, sweet and refreshing taste. But when is chicory in season and how can you recognize good quality?
When is chicory in season?
The chicory season in Germany begins in October and ends between March and April. During this time, winter salad leafy vegetables are of the best quality and are available at good prices, especially if they come from the region.
A leafy vegetable that can be purchased all year round
When it gets too cold for most other leafy vegetables, chicory comes alive. Along with kale, lamb's lettuce and purslane, it is one of the most popular leafy vegetables in winter. But it is not only in winter that it can be found in stores. Worldwide production and modern storage options make it possible for chicory to be available all year round.
Take advantage of the high season for better quality and prices
Although chicory can be purchased all year round, it is not advisable to do so. For example, if you buy chicory in summer, there is a high probability that you will encounter inferior quality and an inflated price. But when can you expect perfect chicory?
Chicory is a winter salad whose season in Germany begins in October and is usually declared over between March and April. During this time you can use the best locally sourced leafy vegetables as a winter salad.
Speaking for good quality include:
- tightly closed, heavy pistons
- a predominantly white and slightly yellowish color
- no green leaves
- no brown spots
- none of the outer leaves have been removed yet
A longer procedure that is worth it
Between mid-September and the end of October, the beet-shaped chicory roots are harvested and then sent to cold storage or basins with warm water. There they are encouraged to hustle. After three to four weeks the chicory is ready to harvest. It can be stored in a dark and cool place such as the refrigerator for up to three weeks.
The whole procedure can also be done on your own. The chicory can be grown in your own garden and later grown in suitable rooms. It couldn't be fresher.
Tips & Tricks
The fresher the chicory is, the tastier it will be remembered. There is now also red chicory, which is suitable for those who would like to avoid the bitter aftertaste.