Quality is based on size, compactness, shape, and color. After trimming outer leaves, the chicons should be white with closed cream-yellow points and not have any torn leaves. Witloof chicory cultivars vary in flavor and bitterness (caused by sesquiterpene lactones). Chicons rapidly turn green if exposed to light and the flavor changes. Good quality chicons do not have any traces of green but are white with cream-yellow leaf edges.