Belgian Endive
Estimated Inventory, 10 lbs : 7.93
This item was last sold on : 10/31/26
Description/Taste
Belgian endive is shaped like a torpedo and grows to about six inches in length. It has tender white leaves with either yellow or red-colored leaf edges. The leaves offer a soft texture and delicate crunch with a pleasantly bitter flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Belgian endive is available year-round with a peak season in the winter months.
Current Facts
Belgian endive and endive are both in the chicory genus. However, Belgian endive is botanically known as part of Chichorium intybus and is grown from chicory roots in a dark environment, while endive is botanically known as Cichorium endive and grown in the fields as a green curly lettuce. Belgian endive is also known as Witloof chicory (Flemish for ‘white leaf’) and in Belgium by the nickname, white gold.
Nutritional Value
Belgian endive is a source of thiamin, potassium, calcium, magnesium, vitamins B6 and C, as well as folate and copper. It also contains intybin which is not only responsible for the bitter taste of the leaves but is also known to be an appetite stimulant and a digestive aid. When consumed in large amounts Belgian endive can also act as a diuretic and laxative.
Applications
While Belgian endive is commonly used raw in recipes it is also versatile in cooked preparations. Roast whole or halved endive with olive oil until softened and serve as a side dish with grated cheese. Grill endive halves and add to cooked grains or serve atop pizza. Add chopped or halved to tarts, quiche, soups, stews and stir-fries. When raw it can be chopped and used in a salad or individual leaves can be stuffed with other complimentary ingredients as a canapé. Braising Belgian endive in butter will slightly mellow the bitterness of the vegetable. The bitter flavor of Belgian endive pairs well with onion, pear, apple, cranberries, herbs such as basil and thyme, walnuts, pecans, butter, cream based sauces, olive oil, bacon lardons, prosciutto, lamb, poultry and gorgonzola, manchengo, blue and feta cheeses. Endive will keep refrigerated for one to two weeks.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In the United States Belgian endive is considered to be a gourmet and expensive vegetable and typically used raw in salads or as an appetizer consisting of individually stuffed leaves. In its native France and in the Netherlands Belgian endive is an inexpensive, commonly consumed winter and spring vegetable and used most often in hot preparations and on occasion raw in salads. There are several classic French dishes that call for Belgian endive such as endive au gratin and braised endives.
Geography/History
Modern cultivation of Belgian endive was first discovered in the 1830's by Jan Lammers a Belgian chicory farmer, who stored the roots in his cellar for drying to use as a coffee substitute. However, after several months, he found the roots had sprouted small white leaves, which he tasted and found tender, moist, and pleasingly bitter. It took another few decades to commercially cultivate this 'witloof'. The chicory is grown from seeds, the roots are harvested, and taken indoors to grow again in a dark environment, using a labor-intensive growing technique called "blanching" to produce the Belgium endive. Commercially grown Belgian endive is exported mainly from western Europe with Belgium contributing the largest share.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
| Aqua Mare Cucina Italiana | Del Mar CA | 858-755-7100 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
| Pizzeria Luigi | San Diego CA | 610-539-7025 |
| Paradisaea Restaurant | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
| Little Frenchie | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-436-7006 |
| Sugar Bear Enterprises | San Diego CA | 925-383-3623 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Shoreside Support Boat | San Diego CA | 704-277-7929 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Something Homemade | Vista CA | 858-245-1004 |
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Callie | San Diego CA | 619-947-9036 |
| Le Coq | La Jolla CA | 858-427-1500 |
| La Bonne Table | San Diego CA | 619-887-7706 |
| Andrew Spurgin | San Diego CA | 619-277-6020 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Wetstone Winebar Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-345-1064 |
| Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Banquet) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Bistro Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Red Tail Catering | San Marcos CA | 858-605-8219 |
| Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Frenchy's Hideout | San Diego CA | 858-345-7379 |
| Suzette | Chula Vista CA | 858-789-4434 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Bistro du Marche by Tapenade | La Jolla CA | 858-551-7500 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
| A & M catering | San Diego CA | 442-515-2650 |
| Fernside | San Diego CA | 619-398-5156 |
| LANA | Solana Beach CA | 602-758-2596 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Belgian Endive. One
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