Chicory health benefits

Photo by  by chez loulou

 Most probably originated in the Mediterranean, chicory was already in the Egyptian, roman and Greek kitchens consumed in their wild form.  The today chicory started to be cultivated in Belgium only in XIX century. Today, Belgium, France, Holland are their main producers and have also a great market in North America.

The common chicory is white in the bottom with the top of the leaves with a green yellow colour. The red one is a mix between chicory and radicchio. Both have crunchy texture and fresh light bitter flavour.

In the market, pick those chicories that the leaves still very tight and with a golden yellow colour, chicory is cultivates in dark environment, so in the direct light their colour starts to become greener and bitter. Store in the bottom fridge covered for avoid light

Nutritional Facts x 100g

Kcal	Vitamin A	Vitamin C	Calcium	Potassium
21,7	251 mg	10 mgc	58,5 mg	322 mg

Health benefits

Chicory is 94% water, for that reason have little calories, fat and sugar content, ideal for keep a good diet. The Chicory Vitamin A is good for the sight, recommendable for people with dry eyes or nocturnal blindness. Also have the properties of the Vitamin C.

The bitterness of the chicory is caused for a component that helps to have an easier digestion.

Also the high folates content (115 mcg x 100g) makes the chicory important ingredients in a pregnant diet.  The potassium content act like a diuretic.


More: Chicory Recipes by top European chefs

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Chicory health benefits