General Information
Red Belgian endive leaves fold tightly over one another to form a torpedo-like shape that comes to a slight point at its tip end. Growing to approximately six inches in length the tender white leaves of Red Belgian endive have red to burgundy edging and a slightly bitter flavor.
Red Belgian endive is a good source of folate, potassium, calcium, magnesium, vitamins B6 and C, as well as thiamin and copper. Red Belgian endive is also known to support digestive health and is high in dietary fiber.
History
Belgian endive was discovered in the 1830’s by a Belgium chicory farmer, who stored the roots in his cellar for drying to use as a coffee substitute. However, after spending several months away he returned to find the roots had sprouted small white leaves, which had a pleasantly bitter flavor and tender texture. In time this process would come to be called a “forced” second growth or “blanching”. This labor intensive growing technique involves growing the chicory from seeds, harvesting the roots then taking them indoors to grow again in a completely dark environment.
Red Belgian endive specifically was created in 1976 when traditional witloof was crossed with the red Italian cultivator rosso di verona. Modern cultivators of Red Belgian endive have been bred specifically to produce heads that have uniform size and shape, tolerance to internal browning, resistance to bolting, reduced bitterness and improved coloring.
