Witloof chicory is a member of the lettuce family. The firm heads are harvested by snapping from the root. Quality Indices Quality is based on size, compactness, shape, and color. After trimming outer leaves, the chicons should be white with closed cream-yellow points and not have any torn leaves. Good quality chicons do not have any traces of green but are white with cream-yellow leaf edges.
Witloof chicory is usually room cooled after packing.
Placing chicons on ice for retail display will cause discoloration. Freezing Injury Freeze damage weakens the leaves and can lead to more rapid bacterial decay. Responses to Ethylene Witloof chicory or Belgian endive is moderately sensitive to ethylene exposure. The main symptoms of ethylene injury are accelerated decay and discoloration of the leaf margins. Ethylene could also be expected to induce leaf abscission, but this effect may require a very long period at low storage temperatures.