Artichokes are such interesting things. We consider the artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) a vegetable, even though it’s a thistle and more specifically, the part that we eat (and that most people ever see in the store) is actually a flower bud — and sometimes called a head.
What’s even more confusing is the fact that most recipes (including my own) call for peeling off the “leaves” of the artichoke to prepare it (for simplicity’s sake), but the real leaves are the silvery-green ones from the artichoke plant itself.
Since the part we’re eating is the flower bud, what does that make those “leaves” we’re peeling? No, not petals — but bracts, which are the scale-like structures that protect the flower. Still with me so far?
It’s fascinating to me that the edible part of an artichoke bud is so small compared to the rest of it. An artichoke is prized for its heart, the tender flesh at the base of the bud. Every time you eat an artichoke by pulling out the bracts one by one, you’re taking a little piece of the heart with it.
But you know what my favorite part of an artichoke is? I’d have to say I love the stem, and I make a point to cut as long of a stem as I can when I harvest from my plants.
Right above the heart is the choke, a crown of pointy fibers (resembling hair) that, if left to bloom, becomes the gorgeous purple florets of an artichoke flower.
The choke in a young bud is soft and sometimes edible, especially in a baby artichoke where there may be little to no choke at all.
Contrary to popular belief, a baby artichoke isn’t a younger version of your standard artichoke; it’s a smaller but fully developed bud that grows lower on the stem after the main — and larger — bud has formed.
For comparison, the choke on the left is from a young bud that is fully developed and ripe for picking. It’s at the most desirable stage to eat an artichoke.
The choke on the right is from a more mature bud. You can see how the bracts are starting to open up and the choke is more prominent with a tinge of purple. Mature buds can be eaten as well, though they require more work to remove the hairy choke.
Now that you’ve got your anatomy down, I’ll show you how to get past all those thorns, bracts, and choke fibers to get to the good stuff inside!
17 Comments
Vicki A.
November 27, 2021 at 3:35 pmI know you posted this ages ago, but I was wondering if you knew what the inner part of the stem (the tasty part that reminds me of marrow if the stem were a bone) it’s called. I’ve been calling it the marrow of the artichoke but I’m sure that’s wrong.
Tina Hua
June 1, 2017 at 3:53 pmVery educational article. Are the real silvery-green leaves edible? Can they be used in a salad or boiled or stir fried? Thank you!
Linda from Garden Betty
June 6, 2017 at 3:57 amI’ve actually never tried the leaves, but have eaten the first few inches of the stem just below the bud (the most tender portion). It has a wonderful artichoke flavor, and when cooked, the texture reminds me of cooked celery.
theGardenBetty
June 13, 2013 at 11:04 amWhat you’re really eating is the flower bud… & other tidbits: Anatomy of an Artichoke http://t.co/qRcWYDj0mf < TY for RT! @ReallyJeannie
theGardenBetty
June 11, 2013 at 9:02 pmLearn all the proper terms for this fascinating thistle. Anatomy of an Artichoke http://t.co/6fBGiU4jjq #gardenchat #gardening
theGardenBetty
June 11, 2013 at 3:03 pmWe eat the flower and call it a vegetable but it’s actually a thistle. Anatomy of an Artichoke http://t.co/L9QsfOB8yZ #gardenchat #gardening
Jeannie
June 11, 2013 at 9:12 amDitto, i will eat artichokes now! Great post, Linda. Can i grow this at zone 5?
Linda Ly
June 11, 2013 at 5:47 pmArtichokes will grow as an annual in zone 5. If you want to keep them going year-round, you’ll have to grow them in a large container and overwinter them indoors.
theGardenBetty
June 10, 2013 at 6:02 pmDifference between a baby artichoke and a regular artichoke? Find out: Anatomy of an Artichoke http://t.co/z5zzUlsKjD #gardenchat #gardening
Lisa M.
June 10, 2013 at 3:02 pmThanks for that lesson! I have never eaten artichokes but they truly fascinate me. Maybe now I will give one a try.
theGardenBetty
June 10, 2013 at 12:03 pmLeaves, bracts, choke and heart – do you know the… Anatomy of an Artichoke http://t.co/55GfTGuqb0 #gardenchat #gardening
Lauren Limbert
June 10, 2013 at 9:08 amLauren Limbert liked this on Facebook.
Cary Bradley
June 10, 2013 at 7:50 amFun anatomy lesson! My dad grew artichokes for 45 years (next to that fig orchard :)) and we LOVED them! Your lesson is great. I’m considering growing cardoons next year for first time. Have you tried them yet? So much enjoy your topics and depth. Thanks so much!
Linda Ly
June 10, 2013 at 4:15 pmI’ve never tried cardoons but I’ve heard that you can cook a young artichoke stem the same way you’d cook a cardoon stem (as the flavors are very similar). Since I find the top part of the artichoke stem delicious, I’m curious to try the rest of it!
Jill Pickett
June 10, 2013 at 6:23 amJill Pickett liked this on Facebook.
BG_garden
June 10, 2013 at 6:01 amAnatomy of an Artichoke:
Artichokes are such interesting things. We consider the artichoke (Cynara cardunculu… http://t.co/McDOaJ9YUy
theGardenBetty
June 10, 2013 at 6:00 amBlogged on Garden Betty: Anatomy of an Artichoke http://t.co/b9TG6AosJf