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• General & History
• Artichokes - varieties.
• Cardoons

The edible artichoke is the flower bud of a thistle like plant native to the Mediterranean region, the buds being harvested when mature but not yet opened. It is not known if the Globe Artichoke existed in its current form during the classical Greek and Roman periods but it was definitely available by the 12th century. It may have been developed by selective breeding from the Cardoon, but that too is uncertain.

Essentially all fresh artichokes sold in the U.S. are grown in California, and the dominant Green Globe variety is grown almost entirely in the Salinas Valley on the central coast, production centering in Castroville and Moss Landing. This crop was originally planted by Italian families in the late 1800s and these families remain rather secretive about how to grow the Green Globe commercially.

Green Globe Artichoke
The dominant artichoke in California, the Green Globe is grown in Monterey County on the central coast. The harvest begins in March and continues well into May with a smaller harvest in September and October. Sizes range from 18 count (jumbo) through 60 count, plus "large loose" (cocktail) and "small loose" (baby) sizes.

The Green Globe is a perennial crop and fairly expensive to produce so attempts to replace it with lower cost annual varieties growable in other parts of California are being made - so far with less than fully satisfactory results.

Baby Artichoke
These are not "baby" at all but mature buds that grow lower on the plant toward the end of the season and are used quite differently from the large artichokes. Most formerly went to marinated artichoke heart production but that business has been moved to Spain. "Babies" are consequently becoming more comon in the markets and people are learning how to cook them.

Desert Globe Artichoke
A proprietary semi-thornless "seed artichoke" developed to counter consumer resistance to the Thornless Artichoke but also grown as an annual crop. It has better flavor and more meat than the Thornless but is still inferior to the Green Globe on both counts. Most production is in Southern California's Riverside and Ventura counties with harvest running from January through March. Sizes range from 18 count (jumbo) through 60 count, plus "large loose" (cocktail) and "small loose" (baby) sizes.

Thornless Artichoke [Imperial Star]
This "seed" variety was developed by the University of California (famous for durable but flavorless tomatoes) as an annual that would be less expensive to grow than the perennial Green Globe. It has met considerable consumer resistance because it is neither as tasty nor nearly as meaty as the Green Globe. Harvest is January through April and August through October. Sizes range from 18 count (jumbo) through 60 count.

Big Heart Artichoke
A thornless variety with a wide base that's meatier than the Imperial Star thornless. Grown on the California Central Coast and in the Imperial Valley just north of the Mexican border it is harvested in all months except December, January and April. Sizes range from 8 count (huge) to 48 count.

Euro Chokes
A trade name for perennial varieties recently developed in France. These are now being grown in California and are shipped with stems as long as 16 inches. The stems contain a lot more edible flesh and less tough fiber than the typical California artichoke.

Cardoons - [Cardoni, Cardi, Chard (archaic), Artichoke Thistle]
The large fleshy stems of a thistle closely related to the Globe Artichoke, widely used as a vegetable in France and Italy. The taste is complex, interesting and artichoke-like - if you have developed a taste for slightly bitter vegetables (a worthwhile taste to develop).

Cardoons are best pre-cooked before using in recipes. Cut the stalks into lengths of about 3" to 4" and remove any outer leaves (very bitter) leaving only the most tender in the center. Put in a pot and add water to cover well. For a 3# bunch, add to the water 2 t of salt and 1/2 t citric acid or the juice of a lemon. Bring to a boil and simmer until tender, about 25 minutes. Drain, cool and refrigerate until needed.

Ecology: Cardoons should not be planted except where they will be carefully controlled. They are an aggressive weed with wind dispersed seeds and have pushed out native flora in California, Australia, Argentina and elsewhere.

• A1 - Recipes - Artichokes.net.
• A2 - Recipes - California Artichoke Advisory Board.
• A3 - Recipes - The Gutsy Gourmet.
• A7 - Varieties - California Artichoke Advisory Board.