Definition

Noun 1. A type of chicory: A cultivated plant (Cichorium intybus var. foliosum) whose young, tightly packed, elongated head (formed by depriving the plant of light) is used as a vegetable. It is characterized by its pale yellow to white leaves and a pleasantly bitter flavor.

Usage Examples

• As a common noun: "The recipe calls for one head of witloof, thinly sliced."
• In a descriptive context: "For a classic Belgian dish, braised witloof is often served with ham and cheese sauce."
• In a comparative context: "The bitter note of witloof provides a nice contrast to sweet fruits in a salad."

Advanced Usage

• Culinary Terminology: In professional cooking, "witloof" specifies the particular variety of chicory used for its blanched head, as opposed to other forms like radicchio or sugarloaf chicory. It is a key ingredient in specific regional cuisines, particularly Belgian and French.

Variants and Related Words

• Belgian endive: The most common synonym for witloof in American English.
• Chicory: The broader category of plants to which witloof belongs. Note: In some regions, "chicory" can refer specifically to the root used as a coffee substitute or additive.
• Endive: A related but distinct leafy vegetable (). Confusion often arises because witloof is commonly called "Belgian endive."

Synonyms

• Belgian endive
• French endive (less common)
• Blanched chicory

Notes on Different Meanings

The word "witloof" has a very specific meaning in botany and gastronomy, referring almost exclusively to the cultivated, blanched head of this chicory variety. It does not have the range of meanings associated with the broader term "chicory."

Noun

1. young broad-leaved endive plant deprived of light to form a narrow whitish head
2. widely cultivated herb with leaves valued as salad green; either curly serrated leaves or broad flat ones that are usually blanched