SUBDIVISION OF CHICORIES INTO TYPES
Chicories are part of our DNA. We built our background knowlegde in one of the few seed companies that was dealing with the breeding of chicory. It bred new varieties that are, even today, some of the most well-known in the chicory and radicchios varietal range. It also contributed to the breeding of the first hybrid of radicchio and to the drafting of the first version of its genome.
A professional and complete range of chicory that includes early slots (55 days to maturity) and late ones (160 days to maturity). These are all traditional varieties, included in a program aimed at safeguarding biodiversity and at ensuring a year-round production.
Also known as “Palla Rossa” or, more simply, “Radicchio”, It is the most widely known and used variety. Our range respects the market standards as it is characterised by a distinctive red colour and by its well distributed white midrib. Round and perfectly overwrapped heads. Complete and professional range for a year-round production.
Flexible and high quality product that respects the traditional ideotype. This range is suitable for spring, early summer, autumn and winter cropping. Complete range that covers the entire production cycle (early and late croppings) and it is also suitable for cold storage.
VARIETY | CYCLE |
LAVA | 60/70 days to maturity (Spring cropping only) |
SANGRIA | 70 days to maturity |
REGINA ROSSA | 90 days to maturity |
PACIFICO | 110 days to maturity |
CARMINIO | 130 days to maturity |
It is one of the most fascinating in the Smarties range. Range of professional chicories that, with their traditional shape, yet satisfying yields combines tradition with production needs. Its taste and texture are among the most interesting for both fresh consumption and culinary purposes.
VARIETY | CYCLE |
PASQUALINO | 60/65 days to maturity |
ROMEO | 80/85 days to maturity |
GAIA | 110 days to maturity |
SCALA | 140 days to maturity |
Cicoria Bianca di Chioggia, or “Palla Bianca” is a traditional product, characterised by hardiness and thick leaves. It shares a common origin with Rosso di Chioggia: Variegato di Chioggia, shared ancestor that led to obtain candid and crunchy heads. No variegation. It is a tasty alternative to Sugar Loaf. Perfect for both fresh consumption and culinary purposes.
Sugar Loaf: high yielding white chicory with a mild taste. It is mainly used for processing to be used for the green compound in ready-to-eat salad. Can be used for fresh consumption.VARIETY | TYPE | CYCLE |
FIOCCO | BIANCA DI CHIOGGIA | 60 days to maturity |
PALLA DI NEVE | BIANCA DI CHIOGGIA | 90 days to maturity |
CRISTALLO | BIANCA DI CHIOGGIA | 110/120 days to maturity |
SERENA | SUGAR LOAF | 90 days to maturity |
Chicory specialties
Mixed category aimed to group together the chicory specialties in the Smarties range for a valued niche market:
Cicoria Catalogna Puntarelle di Galatina: also known as asparagus chicory because of the shape of its stems. Originally from the Italian region of Apulia.
Super early selection, highly flexible, it is also suitable for late transplanting. It can be grown in different climate areas.
Compact head, erect and solid turions which are excellent for fresh consumption. Excess leaves can be cooked and served as a side dish.
70 days to maturity
Cicoria Rosa (pink): characteristic variety of pink chicory that resembles the morphology of Radicchio di Verona and Radicchio di Mantova. Delicate taste.
Our range provides two different varieties: a medium-late variety for December croppings, and a late variety for January croppings and beyond.
Cicoria Gialla (yellow): unique yellow colored chicory of Verona type. Medium-late cycle, 100-110 days to maturity. Specialty for niche market. Excellent to be consumed raw in fancy mixed salads with the classic Rosso di Verona and Pink type.
VARIETY | TYPE | CYCLE |
JOLANDA | CICORIA ROSA (PINK) | 100 days to maturity |
PASSERINA | CICORIA ROSA (PINK) | 120 days to maturity |
YELLOWSTONE | CICORIA GIALLA (YELLOW) | 100/110 days to maturity |
BANDAROSSA | CICORIA BANDAROSSA | 110 days to maturity |
Cicoria Rossa di Treviso 2 – Treviso tardivo to be forced. Probably the most fascinating type because of its growing process, which requires forcing and whitening. This produce is characterized by both a vivid red colour and very white, regular and uniform midribs. It ensures good yields after forcing. Don't forget to read our
FORCING TREVISO TARDIVO ZINE guide
130 days to maturity
It is a very sweet type of chicory, originating from southern Veneto. The strong freshness of this variety makes it particularly fitting for raw consumption. It has a sweet, slightly aromatic taste. Professional product that respects the varietal standards for a range that can guarantee year-round yields. Early slot varieties can be opened as Castelfranco.
Its leaves are of a red spotted ivory colour, which is
typical of this variety.
Cicoria Variegata di Lusia SORGENTE
55 days to maturity
Cicoria Variegata di Lusia DELTA
90 days to maturity
Cicoria Variegata di Lusia FONTE
110 days to maturity
It is a very sweet type of chicory, originating from southern Veneto. The strong freshness of this variety makes it particularly fitting for raw consumption. It has a sweet, slightly aromatic taste. Professional product that respects the varietal standards for a range that can guarantee year-round yields. Early slot varieties can be opened as Castelfranco.
Its leaves are of a red spotted ivory colour, which is
typical of this variety.
Cicoria Variegata di Lusia SORGENTE
55 days to maturity
Cicoria Variegata di Lusia DELTA
90 days to maturity
Cicoria Variegata di Lusia FONTE
110 days to maturity
It is one of the most fascinating among the chicories cultivated in the Veneto region. Perfect to be consumed raw, it is slightly bitter, crunchy and delicate. Professional range that respects the traditional ideotype. Self-whitening type that ensures high yields in the fields, despite its typical attitude to be opened as a rose. It is of a pleasant cream-yellow colour with a uniform red speckled pattern.
Cicoria Variegata di Castelfranco MIRABELLA
65 days to maturity
Cicoria Variegata di Castelfranco BEATRICE
90 days to maturity
Cicoria Variegata di Castelfranco LENTIGGINI
110 days to maturity
It is one of the most fascinating among the chicories cultivated in the Veneto region. Perfect to be consumed raw, it is slightly bitter, crunchy and delicate. Professional range that respects the traditional ideotype. Self-whitening type that ensures high yields in the fields, despite its typical attitude to be opened as a rose. It is of a pleasant cream-yellow colour with a uniform red speckled pattern.
Cicoria Variegata di Castelfranco MIRABELLA
65 days to maturity
Cicoria Variegata di Castelfranco BEATRICE
90 days to maturity
Cicoria Variegata di Castelfranco LENTIGGINI
110 days to maturity
Radicchio Variegato di Chioggia can be considered as
the ancestor of both Cicoria Bianca di Chioggia and Cicoria Rossa di Chioggia,
from which the two selection ranges originated.
This selection is characterized by its strong lateness and hardiness. Its extreme resistance to cold and ice makes it suitable also for late harvesting (February and March).
Radicchio Variegato di Chioggia ACQUERELLO
160 days to maturity
Radicchio Variegato di Chioggia can be considered as
the ancestor of both Cicoria Bianca di Chioggia and Cicoria Rossa di Chioggia,
from which the two selection ranges originated.
This selection is characterized by its strong lateness and hardiness. Its extreme resistance to cold and ice makes it suitable also for late harvesting (February and March).
Radicchio Variegato di Chioggia ACQUERELLO
160 days to maturity