Radicchio, chicory and catalogna are among the oldest cultivated chicory types of Europe and West Asia. Early forms emerged from wild Cichorium species, which were already used, selected and refined in ancient cultures. Over regional cultivation and trade routes, a wide range of types developed, differing clearly in leaf structure, colour, growth habit and flavour. Their diversity spans compact red‑white radicchio heads, tender pale‑yellow chicory sprouts and tall, deep‑green catalogna forms with their characteristic slightly bitter leaf shoots.

In subtropical climates, radicchio, chicory and catalogna thrive particularly well during the milder seasons, as they prefer balanced temperatures and consistent moisture. With sufficient watering, suitable varieties can also be grown reliably into summer under warmer conditions. In temperate regions, all of our traditional and historically preserved open‑pollinated varieties perform consistently, growing reliably from spring into winter and forming uniform, aromatic heads, sprouts or leaf shoots. These chicory types show excellent ecological adaptability and can be cultivated successfully in many climate zones when timed correctly.