Medicinal propreties are attribuated to the plant, and it is also valued for its eating qualities. In particular, the young blanched schoots grown on forced chicory roots have long been consumed as a vegetable. Currently, witloof cultivation is being untertaken in an increasing number of countries all over the world. The vegetable witloof is the result of a regrowing of the central bud on chicory roots. By this firm head of etiolated leaves, called chicon, is produced.
Witloof chicory is produced in two stages.
In the first stage the chicory root is grown in the field. In the second stage the harvested roots are forced to produce the chicon which constitutes the vegetable proper . The entire process of witloof chicory growing thus requires two successive cultivation periods. The cultivation of the chicory root is similar to that of many other farm crops. Sowing is done in spring on a flat field or on ridges.