It is a son to the more famous Radicchio di Treviso, the first in Europe to be the proud holder of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) mark, and is recognizable by its very compact spherical shape, more or less intense red leaves with white central ribs that call to mind those of a rose.
The Radicchio di Chioggia PGI is named after the place from which it gets its fame, the lovely lagoon city of Chioggia, south of the Venetian lagoon, but is also cultivated in other municipalities in the provinces of Padua, Rovigo and Venice.
Exported throughout Europe, it is a typical product with ancient traditions as found in the monthly notebook of Federal Credit Institute for the Risorgimento of the Venezie (March 1923), in the book "Introduction to Horticultural Economics" Pagani-Gallimberti, which explains the radicchio cultivation technique in lagoon vegetable gardens, and finally in the study "Experimental Vegetable Gardens of Chioggia" (1935) featuring researches on new varieties of vegetables and chicories including the radicchio.
Produced in the "early" and "late" types, this crisp and slightly bitter tasting vegetable is rich in fiber, vitamins, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, with antioxidant, anti-radical, diuretic, and cleansing properties.
