Endive

Endive The origin of endive is a story of unintentional innovation. Jan Lammers, in the 1830s, returned to his house from the Belgian War of Independence and quickly made his way to his impressive stock of chicory roots. Expecting to see his chicory preserved as left, he was surprised to see they had sprouted small white leaves from the delicious roots. Packed in his dark cellar for months, the leaves were completely white and tasted slightly bitter. From this unintentional discovery, endive was born. While it took a few decades to perfect this new salad green, by the 1870s, endive was all the rage in Paris and beyond. Today, endive is produced year round in similar cellars around the world.

Key Nutrients

While low in caloric count, endive is a great source of vitamins A and C. Endive is great source of dietary fiber, while it has a very low amount of fat.

Health Benefits

Vitamin A – Vitamin A, when converted into retinaldehyde, is a vital compound for healthy eyes. Furthermore, vitamin A is believed to fight against cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma. Vitamin A strengthens the membranes of the human body such as mucous membranes, respiratory, urinary and intestinal tracts. It is also essential for the lymphocytes, or white blood cells, that fight infection once in the body.

Vitamin C – Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infections and scavenges harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals. Vitamin C also helps to prevent respiratory problems such as asthma and lung cancer.Vitamin C has been shown to lower blood pressure, and therefore lessen the probability of hypertension.

Dietary Fiber – Dietary Fiber stimulates digestion and peristalsis, helping to relieve indigestion and constipation problems.

Season

Endive is typically grown indoors to preserve its distinct white color. For this reason, it is available year round in most supermarkets.

Nutrition Information

Per 1 Cup (50 grams):
Calories (cKal): 8
Protein (grams): .62
Total Fat (grams): .1
Carbohydrates (grams): 1.68
Fiber (grams): 1.6

Buying and Storing

When buying endive, make sure the leaves are white and free from green discoloration. Also make sure the endive is not wilted or damaged. Store the endive in a sealed container for up to five days in your refrigerator.

Best Way to Add to Diet

Endive is a fantastic leaf to add to your salad mix. Slightly bitter, make sure to add a number of other leafy greens to your salad to create a unique and compelling taste. Another great way to prepare endive is braised in beer. Use a Belgium pale ale to create a wonderfully unique taste