Artichoke Varieties

Learn what the different artichoke varieties are, where they are grown and their availability. Offered by the Artichoke Advisory Board of California.

 

Artichoke Varieties A Year-round Variety Description: Globe-shaped in winter and spring Conical in summer and fall Green color, some purple at base in summer Thorns prominent in summer and fall. Less developed in winter and spring. Compact appearance Winter harvests may show frost damage on outer bracts, a cosmetic defect only. Frost tends to enhance "nutty" flavor of artichoke. Size: 18, 24, 30, 36, 48, 60 count, large loose (cocktail) and small loose (baby) Characteristics: Good edibility on bracts (petals) Heavy bottom (heart) relative to size All marketed sizes are mature. Seasonality: Year-round availability with a spring peak period Method of Propagation: Cloned from root stock Handling: Refrigerate at 34 degrees F. (0 degrees C) Keep moist - 95% humidity OK to "top ice" Trim stems and place in crushed ice for best appearance. Geographic Area: Central coast of California with a heavy concentration near Castroville. A Winter & Early Spring Variety Description: Shape varies conical to round throughout season. Green color Thorns, but not prominent Compact appearance Winter harvests may show frost damage on outer bracts, a cosmetic defect only. Frost tends to enhance "nutty" flavor of artichoke. Size: 18, 24, 30, 36, 48, 60 count, large loose (cocktail) and small loose (baby) Characteristics: Bracts (petals) have good, edible portions. Bottoms (hearts) are well-developed. All marketed sizes are mature. Seasonality: Winter through early spring Method of Propagation: Seed Handling: Refrigerate at 34 degrees F. (0 degrees C) Keep moist - 95% humidity OK to "top ice" Trim stems and place in crushed ice for best appearance. Geographic Area: Southern California inland desert valleys. Oxnard: coastal valley A Thornless Variety Description: Thornless Shape generally conical. Wide base even more pronounced in summer. Green color with purple tinge most pronounced at base of artichoke. Purple more pronounced in summer. Winter harvests may show frost damage on outer bracts, a cosmetic defect only. Frost tends to enhance "nutty" flavor of artichoke. Size: 8, 18, 24, 36, 48 count Characteristics: Good flavor Wide heart Seasonality: Nearly year-round availability Method of Propagation: Big Heart" was among the first commercially available seed-propagated artichoke. Grown as an annual, plantings can be staggered for year-round harvest. Handling: Refrigerate at 34 degrees F. (0 degrees C) Keep moist - 95% humidity OK to "top ice" Trim stems and place in crushed ice for best appearance. Geographic Area: Lompoc: coastal valley north of Santa Barbara, California. Imperial: inland desert valley A Year-Round, Thornless Variety Description: Thornless Glossy, green color Shape generally conical; seasonal variations will be rounded Compact appearance. Winter harvests may show frost damage on outer bracts, a cosmetic defect only. Frost tends to enhance the flavor. Size: 18, 24, 36, 48, 60 count Characteristics: Edible stem Bracts (petals) have good, edible portions Bottoms (hearts) are well-developed Seasonality: Year-round with peak production in spring Method of Propagation: Seed Developed by and licensed through the University of California Handling: Refrigerate at 34 degrees F. (0 degrees C) Keep moist - 95% humidity OK to "top ice" Trim stems and place in crushed ice for best appearance. Geographic Area: Widely adaptable Imperial and Coachella valleys. Sacramento/San Joaquin valleys Central coast of California

 

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