You can find up to 30 different endive lettuce seeds in specialist shops. So the choice is difficult. In the following you will learn how the individual endive varieties differ and when which variety is sown and harvested.
Some endive varieties are more curled than others
Summer and winter endives
In general, a distinction is made between summer and winter endives. The division indicates a trend in sowing and harvesting. Summer endive is sown and harvested a little earlier, while winter endive can often be harvested by November or even December. Winter endive is more winter hardy and can also be stored better than summer endive. Endive should be eaten as soon as possible after harvest.
| variety name | Sow outdoors | harvest | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer endive yellow full-hearted | June to July | Before frost below -5 degrees | Big heads, resilient |
| Endive escarole | mid-June to August | Before frost below -5 degrees | Heavy, large heads, can be stored longer |
| breedblad | July to August | From September | yellow heart |
| endive, escarole greener | 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 leaves) | April to October | May to November | Strong, jagged leaves |
| Roman curly 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-yield, bolt-resistant |
| endive diva | June to July | July to September | Fast growing, self-bleaching |
| Endive Eros | late May to late July | July to October | Bolt-proof, resistant |
| Frissee Endive Chrono | mid-June to early August | Before frost below -5 degrees | Fine curling, high quality |
| Endive Bionda A Cuore Pieno (Whole Leaves) | June to September | September to December | Tender, crispy leaves, full of heart |
| Endive bobbed 3 Sel. Compacta (whole-leaved) | June to September | September to December | Compact, large heads, ruffled |
| Endive Scarola Cornetto Di Bordeaux (Whole Leaved) | June to September | September to December | heart shaped leaves |
The nutritional content of endives
Endives are delicious and healthy. Especially when they are fresh from the garden. Here is an overview of the most important nutritional values per 100 grams:
- Sodium: 22mg
- Potassium: 314mg
- Vitamin A: 2167mcg
- Calcium: 52mg
- Vitamin C: 6.5 mg
- Iron: 0.8mg
- Magnesium: 15mg