Chicory Zuccherino Of Trieste

Franchi - Chicory Zuccherino Of Trieste

The Sweet Leaf: Chicory Zuccherino Of Trieste

Revolutionise your salad bowl with the Chicory Zuccherino Of Trieste. If you have avoided growing chicory because you fear the bitterness, this is the variety that will change your mind. The name Zuccherino translates loosely to "Little Sugar," referring to its exceptionally mild and delicate flavour. Unlike the heading types (radicchio), this is a vigorous "cutting chicory" that produces lush, heart-shaped, light green leaves. It is incredibly fast-growing and reliable, making it a staple in the gardens of Trieste and a secret weapon for salad lovers in the UK and Ireland who want high yields with minimal effort.

• The "Zero Bitterness" Chicory: It lacks the pungent bite of standard chicories. The leaves are tender, crisp, and offer a subtle sweetness that even children often enjoy.

• Ultimate "Cut-and-Come-Again": This is a regenerative crop. Once you cut the leaves, the deep taproot pushes up new growth almost immediately, providing harvest after harvest from a single sowing.

• Speedy Harvest: It is one of the fastest crops you can grow. In warm weather, you can be harvesting baby leaves just 30–40 days after sowing.

• Cold Hardiness: Like most chicories, it thrives in our cool maritime climate. It stands up well to early spring chills and autumn damps, extending your salad season well beyond lettuce.

Master Gardener's Tip: The Infinite Salad Bowl

The biggest mistake gardeners make with this variety is pulling the whole plant up! Treat this like a renewable resource. When harvesting, use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the leaves about 2–3 cm (1 inch) above the soil level, taking care not to damage the central growth point (crown). Water it well after cutting, and within a few weeks, a fresh flush of tender leaves will appear. By sowing a small patch every 3–4 weeks and harvesting in rotation, you can ensure a non-stop supply of gourmet greens from March right through to the first hard frosts of winter.

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