You can find over 30 different endive salad seeds in specialist shops. The choice is difficult. Below you will find out how the individual endive varieties differ and when each variety is sown and harvested.
What types of endive are there and how do they differ?
The different endive varieties differ mainly in summer and winter endive, which are characterized by sowing and harvest times as well as storage capacity. Some examples are summer endive yellow wholehearted, winter endive escariol and endive Bionda a cuore pieno.
Summer and winter endives
A general distinction is made between summer and winter endives. The division indicates a tendency regarding sowing and harvesting. Summer endives are sown and harvested a little earlier, while winter endives can often be harvested until November or even December. Winter endives are more winter hardy and also store better than summer endives. Summer endives should be consumed as soon as possible after harvest.
| Variety name | Sowing outdoors | Harvest | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer endive yellow wholehearted | June to July | Before frost below -5 degrees | Big heads, resilient |
| Winter Endives Escariol | Mid-June to August | Before frost below -5 degrees | Heavy, large heads, can be stored for longer |
| Breedblad | July to August | From September | Yellow Heart |
| Winter endive, green escariol | June to August | September to December | Late, robust, storable |
| Endive Bionda a cuore pieno | Mid to late June | October to November | |
| Endive Eminence | Mid-June to early August | Before frost below -5 degrees | yellow heart, very resistant |
| Endive Romanesca Da Taglio (curly-leaved) | April to October | May to November | Strong, jagged leaves |
| Roman curly-leaf cut endive | January to December | January to December | Can be grown all year round |
| Endive Grobo | Mid-June to early August | Before frost below -5 degrees | Fast-growing, high-yielding, bolt-proof |
| Winter Endive Diva | June to July | July to September | Fast-growing, self-bleaching |
| Endive Eros | End of May to end of July | July to October | Resilient, resistant |
| Frissee Endive Chrono | Mid-June to early August | Before frost below -5 degrees | Fine curl, high quality |
| Endive Bionda A Cuore Pieno (whole-leaved) | June to September | September to December | Tender, crispy leaves, full heart |
| Endive Bubikopf 3 Sel. Compacta (whole leaves) | June to September | September to December | Compact, large heads, curled |
| Endive Scarola Cornetto Di Bordeaux (whole-leaved) | June to September | September to December | Heart-shaped leaves |
The nutritional content of endive
Endives are delicious and he althy. Especially when they come fresh from the garden. Here is an overview of the most important nutritional values per 100 grams:
- Sodium: 22mg
- Potassium: 314mg
- Vitamin A: 2167 μg
- Calcium: 52mg
- Vitamin C: 6.5mg
- Iron: 0.8mg
- Magnesium: 15mg