Contenidos
What is chicory?
Characteristics of chicory ( Cichorium intybus )
Chicory flower
Common name : Chicory, wild endive (leaves)
Scientific name : Cichorium intybus L.
Family : Compositae (Asteraceae)
Habitat. Where does chicory grow?
Alongside paths, roads and dry land.
Chicory description
Perennial plant of the Asteraceae family, up to 1 m tall.
Erect stems , glabrous or hispid, with very irregular branching.
Basal leaves in a rosette, toothed. Upper leaves very small, with smaller teeth.
Flowers up to 4 cm, blue.
Illustration of the plant
Harvesting and preserving chicory leaves and roots
The leaves should be collected in summer. They should be dried in the shade and stored in a dry, shady place inside small bags or glass jars.
The roots can be harvested in spring or summer. They should be dried in the sun or in ovens (55°C) and stored under similar conditions.
In the case of wild collection, it is recommended to read the following instructions for collecting in nature .
Components of chicory
- Inulin (root) (content up to 50% in the root) (leaves)
- Bitter substances (root): rich in intybin, lactucin, lactucopicrin and other bitter glycosides.
- Triterpene derivatives (root): alpha and beta lactucerol
- Gums (root)
- Stearic, acetic, chlorogenic, isochlorogenic, linoleic , alpha-linoleic, myristic, palmitic acid (root), dicaffeoyltartaric or chicoresic acid (leaves, 0.1-0.2%)
- Fructose (root, 10%)
- Cicorine (leaves)
- Esculetol (flowers), with circulatory properties, is also found in horse chestnut.
- Amino acids (leaves): threonine , arginine , tryptophan , lysine , valine
- Minerals: Potassium , phosphorus , calcium , iron , magnesium (plant)
Uses of chicory
Chicory is a plant from the aster family that is used as:
- Edible plant : Its leaves are eaten in salads and as a vegetable. The root can also be used as a vegetable. The roots are used as animal feed due to their high protein content, making them a good substitute for oats.
- For making beverages : Chicory root is used to make a coffee substitute. Chicory extract is used in some alcoholic beverages.
- As a sweetener: Due to its high inulin content, this species is used as a sweetener.
- As an insecticide: The infusion of this plant has been used as an insecticide for animals.
- As a medicinal plant
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8 abril, 2026
