Radicchio

Radicchio (Cichorium intybus) is a leafy vegetable belonging to the Asteraceae family. The round head, more or less compact depending on the variety, contains wrinkled or smooth leaves that are either red-violet or green with reddish streaks, with a crisp and firm texture. These leaves stand out for their typical
bitter and persistent flavor.
Light and flavorful, radicchio is one of the most appreciated typical products from the Veneto region, loved worldwide.
It is the main ingredient in many elaborate dishes or consumed simply in salads. It is also valued for its numerous health benefits: it lowers blood cholesterol levels and reduces blood sugar, is a digestive
and detoxifying agent, prevents osteoporosis, and aids in blood clotting. Its vitamin and mineral content is particularly rich, especially potassium, B vitamins, vitamin C, and K.

Radicchio is the historically most important crop at Vivai Bacchetto: the company produces all varieties in a wide range of formats, for every European production area.
Seedlings are pre-extracted and, based on the customer’s requests, can either be cut or not cut.

This is a resilient crop: by following a careful production protocol, it can be cultivated practically without the use of pesticides, often using customer-produced seeds. In some cases, the traditional acclimatization method of plants outside greenhouses is still used.
In recent years, the development of hybrid seeds has led to an increasing production of seedlings, largely leaving behind direct seeding.