Cichorium endivia is a member of the Asteraceae (sunflower) family.
Varieties include Green Curled Ruffec (endive), Broadleaf Batavian (escarole), and Full Heart Batavian (escarole).

The endive is a loose-headed plant with curled serrated narrow leaves. The broad leaf type is called escarole. Full Heart Batavian provides the bulk of escarole on the market. It is 12 to 15 inches across with upright to spreading growth. Foliage is deep green. The rosette of leaves constitutes practically the whole plant.

Marketing. Wholesale market prices were reported for the San Francisco and Los Angeles markets for endive and escarole as follows (ice packed crates/cartons of 24s, approximately 34 pounds):

Endive: San Francisco, 1987

January-March $10.50-12.00

April-July $7.50-9.50

August-mid Nov. $9.50-11.50

mid Nov.-December $14.00-16.00

Escarole:

January-February $7.50-12.00

March-mid April $12.00-14.00

mid April-July $7.50-9.00

August-October $8.50-11.50

November-Dec. $12.00-16.00

Endive/Escarole: Los Angeles, 1988

January-mid Feb. $9.50-16.00

mid Feb.-mid May $6.00-8.50

Late May $9.00-14.50

June-mid August $7.00-10.50

late August $12.00-14.00

mid Sept.-December $6.00-8.00

Current production and yield. Florida is the leading producer. Other states include California, New Jersey, Ohio, and New York. Supplies are available year-round peaking December through April.

In California, in 1987, the County Agricultural Commissioners reported escarole grown in Riverside and San Benito counties. Endive was reported grown in Fresno, Monterey, Riverside, San Benito, San Bernardino, and Solano counties. Monterey and San Bernardino were the only two counties which reported actual production figures for endive. Monterey was first with 8,050 tons on 561 acres for a total value of $2,880,000. This was an average yield of 14.3 tons/acre and a price of $358/ton. In San Bernardino County there were 486 tons produced on 44 acres with a value of $128,000. The average yield was 11 tons/acre and the average price was $263/ton.

In 1988 in California there were reported to be 743 harvested acres of endive with a value of $2,810,000. Escarole was reported as having 482 acres and a value of $2,164,000.

Between 1980 and 1988 reported endive acreage has ranged from a low of 382 acres in 1985 to a high of 951 acres in 1982. Escarole has ranged from a low of 63 acres in 1981 to a high of 482 acres in 1988.

Imports of fresh and frozen endive into the United States have steadily increased from 2,482,000 pounds in 1980 to 7,187,000 pounds in 1988.

Use. The leaves are used as salad and for greens.

Nutrition. Endive and escarole are good sources of vitamin A, with about 65 percent of the RDA in a three and a half ounce serving.

Climatic requirements. It is a hardy plant but does not do well in hot weather so it should be seeded to mature before hot weather arrives. It is also subject to damage by severe frosts. Escarole is more cold tolerant than endive. In general it thrives best as an early spring or late fall crop. The plants will bolt in hot weather.

Propagation and care. Endive is similar to lettuce in its soil and climatic requirements. The rows should be 1 and a half or 2 feet apart, the plants 1 foot apart in the rows. Blanching the head for two weeks greatly reduces bitterness. This is done by tying it like cauliflower or by standing boards on each side of the row. If the foliage gets wet inside it is likely to decay so the leaves should be tied together only when dry. Blanching is not commonly done by commercial growers.

Harvest and postharvest practices. USDA storage recommendations are 32°F (0°C) at 95 to 100 percent relative humidity, with an approximate storage life of 2 to 3 weeks.

Compiled by Claudia Myers, UC Small Farm Center.

Reviewed by Keith Mayberry.

Reviewed by Tim Hartz, 11/20/89.

Captions:

Figure 1. Green Curled Ruffec, an endive variety. (Photo by Hunter Johnson).

4/30/90.