Endive has a slightly bitter flavour. The bitter flavour is caused by the bitter substance lactucopicrin and helps with digestion by stimulating the flow of bile. Endive also outperforms other lettuce varieties in terms of its mineral content. It contains more potassium and also more than twice as much calcium and phosphorus as lettuce or iceberg lettuce, for example. Many people only know the flavourful leaves of endive from salads. But it is also something special in hot dishes. The flavour goes particularly well with fruity ingredients such as apples, oranges or sultanas. However, it is also very popular with savoury ingredients such as onions, bacon and cheese. In southern Germany, people like to prepare a lukewarm potato salad with endive.