Cichorium intybus L.
Chicory
Chicory is a perennial herbaceous plant with bright blue flowers, occasionally white or pink. It has a tough, grooved stem that can grow up to 1.5 meters tall. The leaves are stalked, lanceolate, and unlobed, ranging from 7.5 to 32 centimeters in length and 2 to 8 centimeters in width. The flower heads are typically light blue or lavender and measure 3 to 5 centimeters in width. Chicory flowers from March until October.
Details
Asterales
Asteraceae
Cichorium
The plant contains substances that contribute to its bitterness, primarily the sesquiterpene lactones lactucin and lactucopicrin. Other components include aesculetin, aesculin, cichoriin, umbelliferone, scopoletin, 6,7-dihydrocoumarin, and further sesquiterpene lactones and their glycosides. The root contains up to 20% inulin, a polysaccharide similar to starch.
Chicory is cultivated for its edible leaves, which are used in salads or as a coffee substitute. The roots can be roasted and ground to make a coffee additive, commonly used in the Mediterranean region. It is also grown as a forage crop for livestock and has been traditionally used in alternative medicine.
March to October
1.5 meters
Light blue, lavender, occasionally white or pink
Chicory thrives in areas with abundant rain and prefers limestone soils but can tolerate a variety of conditions. It is commonly found in roadsides, waste places, and other disturbed areas.
Info
Pannon Flora Ltd. was founded on December 13, 1999, by Gábor Janik, who retains 95% ownership. Janik holds an MSc in Horticulture from the University of Horticultural Sciences (1986) and an Advanced Professional English Certification from the College of International Trade (1990). The company specializes in bird feed production and export, primarily serving markets in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, alongside cultivating and distributing imported/exported horticultural seeds. It maintains exclusive partnerships with JOEUN Seed (South Korea) and Takii Europe (Japan), a leader in professional seed breeding and production. Pannon Flora collaborates with certification bodies such as NÉBIH (National Food Chain Safety Office), MERT Kontroll, and SGS Hungary to ensure compliance and quality. The company works with approximately 400 Hungarian growers, ranging from small-scale producers (under 5 hectares) to mid-sized farms and large-scale agricultural enterprises. This profile emphasizes agribusiness expertise, technical partnerships, and operational scalability tailored to international client needs.
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