Chicory

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a somewhat woody, perennial herbaceous plant of the dandelion family Asteraceae, usually with bright blue flowers. It can be found on roadsides in its native distribution range of Europe and Asia, and naturalized in North America, China, Southern Australia, and New Zealand. Chicory is also called endive, although the word "endive" is also used for other closely related species, like Cichorium endivia. The plant has many culinary uses, the root can be ground as a coffee substitute, and the leaves are often used in salads. In Hebrew, chicory is known as חציל (khatsil). In French, it is called chicorée, in Spanish achicoria, and in German Zichorie. Chicory is also known for its use in some mixed salads, such as the Belgian salade du Nord or the German Feldsalat.