My Herbs 1

The Globe
Artychoke
(Cynara scolymus)
TThis bittersweet-tasting plant from
the Asteraceae family has a multitude
of healing abilities. It regenerates
the liver, acts against flatulence and has
strong detoxicating effects. It also has
its unmistakeable place in the culinary
domain – on the most opulent tables
among the most delicious
delicacies.
The artichoke's leaves
are silverygreen
and cut along
the edges. Its main
product are its buds.
These have to be harvested
one at a time
and ideally just before
they come into blossom,
since they become
bitter after that. Artichokes
are distinguished by the color
of their buds – there are white,
green or purple ones. The artichoke
often grows up to one and a
half meters in height.
HISTORY AND ORIGIN
The plant originally comes from North
Africa and West Asia. It was also
known in ancient Egypt, since its depictions
were found in the ruins of ancient
temples there. Even the ancient
Greeks and Romans were familiar with
it. It was the Romans who had it imported
from Carthage. Today, artichoke
is most often consumed in Italy, France
and Spain, where it is grown in excess.
The first extensive artichoke farms date
back all the way to fifteenth century Sicily.
GROWING
It can be grown domestically as well,
but the important thing is to have a lot
28 MY HERBS MAGAZINE