Have you ever thought about how many types of artichokes we can find on the market? At #BlogCynara we know that an #artichokelover always wants to learn more and more. For this reason, we will tell you which are the best-known and cultivated varieties according to the time of year. Let’s start!
Early varieties of an artichoke
In this category, there are 4 types of artichokes that we can enjoy in autumn:
Tudela White artichoke
This is the dominant variety in Spanish plantations, and these areas have the Denomination of Origin and the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).
An #artichokelover trick! To identify this type of artichoke, look at its dull green color, its circular hole at the top, and its oval shape.
In addition, its fruit is tender and characterized by the absence of hairs.
Violet de Provence
This variety is grown abundantly in the Mediterranean region. The Valencian Community is second in importance at the national level in terms of planting this artichoke behind the Region of Murcia.
Recognizing this very special artichoke is easy, thanks to its large, purple leaves.
It is the most difficult variety to find in the Spanish market since it is usually exported to foreign countries such as France. So now you want to try it, right? It’s just a matter of buying some tickets to the city of love to eat some violet artichokes from Provence!
Imperial Star
This artichoke variety, whose name makes us think of Hollywood, is mainly used for seed propagation and is produced in the USA. It is characterized by having a larger size than our beloved white artichoke from Tudela and a darker color. Its plants can reach more than a meter in height and have an open growth habit.
Lorca
This variety is characterized by having a medium and very uniform vigor. It has a more spherical-elongated shape than the Tudela white and Imperial Star. In addition, its leaves closest to the stem are very grouped, the outer ones having a slight anthocyanin or violet coloration caused by low temperatures.
Its origin is located in Peru, South America and China.
Medium cycle varieties
Estas variedades son las que suelen crecer en invierno y primavera. Sus nombres son originales, pero es que su sabor es mejor todavía.
Green Globe
Se cultiva en lugares con climas templados. Es una planta perenne, aunque ofrece su mayor rendimiento a los 3-4 años. Se caracteriza por ser exigente en riegos, aunque no tolera del todo bien los suelos húmedos, pero sí los frescos y bien drenados.
En sus hojas encontramos tonos violetas, aunque en general presenta hojas grandes donde predomina el color verde claro. Además, posee espinas.
Harmony
Like the previous variety, this medium cycle artichoke contains thorns. It is green, dull and conical in shape.
Late varieties of artichokes
These artichoke varieties grow in winter and spring when the nice weather begins… the one we like so much!
We can find four types whose names do not go unnoticed either:
Opal
Hybrid artichoke variety of Provence violet type, but with a larger caliber. It has a great productive capacity and concentration of artichokes. It has a light purple color with green veining, produces thorns, and has a conical and rounded shape with elongated leaves.
Madrigal
This green variety is especially recommended for the industry due to its high yield. Its heart is similar to that of the Blanca de Tudela artichoke, but this variety, unlike the Navarrese, does have thorns. It has a conical shape and thick, dense leaves.
Concerto
It is the variety with the darkest tone of all. At the end of the crop, its flower heads remain 50% purple, and the other half remains a dull green tone. In addition, its bracts are pink, fleshy, compact and elongated.
Romanesque
This variety is of Italian origin and can reach a size of 180 cm. It is thick, round and violet in color and includes dozens of local subtypes in the Lazio and Campania area.
It is characterized by ripening later than green artichokes, but it has a finer flavor, to the point that many Italian chefs refer to it as ‘the best artichoke in the world.’ We were already thinking of visiting France to try the violet artichoke from Provence, but now we also have to visit Italy in search of the Romanesco artichoke.
As you can see, there are wide varieties of artichokes with different characteristics and from other parts of the world. So it makes us consider traveling in search of the best, right?
Luckily, at Cynara, we have a large number of these organic artichokes so that you can enjoy our star product in the most natural way.
Did you already know any of these varieties of artichokes? So you really are a #artichokelover.
