Radicchio di Chioggia

Radicchio di Chioggia is a PGI-protected chicory of the species Cichorium intybus, variety silvestre, produced in a defined area spanning the Provinces of Venice, Padua and Rovigo. It forms a characteristic spherical head of red to deep red leaves with white central veins and is marketed in two types: early and late, distinguished by size, weight, colour and taste.

About this designation

Registered as a PGI under file number PGI-IT-0484, with EU protection dating from 6 July 2005 and eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013742, Radicchio di Chioggia is produced from plants of the family Asteracee, genus Cichorium, species intybus, variety silvestre. Two types are recognised. The early variety, grown exclusively in the Municipalities of Chioggia and Rosolina, is sown between 1 December and the end of April in seed-beds and from early March directly in the field, with transplanting after around 30 days; between eight and ten plants are set per square metre, harvesting runs from 1 April to 15 July, and the trimmed yield may not exceed 18 tonnes per hectare. The late variety is sown in seed-beds between 20 June and 15 August or directly in the field in July and August at a density of seven to ten plants per square metre; harvesting runs from September to March and the trimmed yield may not exceed 28 tonnes per hectare. Its geographical area covers the Municipalities of Chioggia, Cona and Cavarzere in the Province of Venice, Codevigo and Corbezzole in the Province of Padua, and Rosolina, Ariano Polesine, Taglio di Po, Porto Viro and Loreo in the Province of Rovigo. Trimming is carried out using traditional curved knives known as roncole. Packaging must bear the designated logo and the words 'Radicchio di Chioggia' with a reference to the variety. The inspection body is C.S.Q.A. Certificazioni S.r.l., Thiene. The applicant group is the Consorzio di Tutela Radicchio di Chioggia IGP.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PGI on 6 July 2005 under file number PGI-IT-0484, eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013742.
• The early variety may be grown only in the Municipalities of Chioggia and Rosolina; the specification permits no other municipalities for this type.
• Trimmed yield for the early variety may not exceed 18 tonnes per hectare; for the late variety the limit is 28 tonnes per hectare.
• Packaging must be sealed so that opening the wrapper breaks the seal, and containers must carry the official logo in a specified Garamond typeface.

Tasting notes

Veneto radicchio from Chioggia area, distinctive round red-and-white tight-headed variety. Crisp leaves with characteristic bitter-sweet flavor, less complex than Treviso varieties but more widely available.

HoReCa use

Veneto salads, grilled, in risotto, mixed salads.

Packaging

• crate-5kg
• crate-10kg
• single-head-300-500g
• retail-tray-500g

Seasonality