Cornet De Bordeaux

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Crisp as a cool breeze, Cornet De Bordeaux endive forms tight, upright heads that feel satisfyingly firm to the touch and open to a pleasantly bitter, nutty-sweet flavor.

The leaves are elegantly curled and densely layered, creating a refined texture that shines in fresh salads and in warm preparations where its delicate bite can mellow into silky tenderness. Grow this 65-day favorite for a garden-to-table centerpiece with a distinctly classic endive character.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 65 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Cornet De Bordeaux

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 29th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	65
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Cornet De Bordeaux gives you a firm, upright crunch with a classic, nutty bitterness that stands up to sharp lemon and punchy fat. Use it as a structural salad leaf—its dense layering resists wilting, and in heat it softens without turning mushy.

Best Uses

ice-cold wedge salads where the leaves hold vinaigrette without collapsing
lightly dressed endive salads with citrus to sharpen the bitterness
quick warm sauté or braise to turn that crisp edge into silky tenderness
grilling or roasting for caramel-leaning nuttiness with intact structure

Flavor Profile

pleasantly bitter snap nutty-sweet undertone tight, layered crunch

Kitchen Pairings

lemon hazelnut blue cheese mustard vinaigrette bacon lardons grilled chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Cichorium endivia leaves developing brown, watery spots and collapsing, and what should I do?

This is often bacterial leaf rot promoted by cool, wet conditions and splashing soil onto leaves. Remove and discard affected plants, improve airflow by spacing, and water early in the day with minimal leaf wetting. If the rot keeps spreading, treat remaining plants with a copper-based bactericide labeled for leafy greens and stop irrigating from overhead.

How often should I water Cornet de Bordeaux (Cichorium endivia) during the main growing phase?

Keep the soil evenly moist from germination through head/leaf development, not waterlogged. In most home gardens, that means watering about 2–3 times per week depending on heat and soil, aiming for consistent moisture in the top 1–2 inches. If leaves start to get bitter or curl tightly during warm spells, it’s a sign of uneven moisture—water more consistently rather than giving heavy single soakings.

How can I tell when my Cornet de Bordeaux (Cichorium endivia) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants reach their expected size and leaves are crisp and well-formed, typically around 65 days after sowing. The outer leaves should look full and firm rather than loose or overly soft, and the plant should hold its shape in a part-sun spot. For best quality, harvest in the morning and use soon, as cut leaves lose crispness quickly.