Artichoke History

Don't let the thorny leaves of the artichoke discourage you. Within this member of the thistle family lies a treasure for the palate and a boon to the body.

Artichoke History

Native to the Mediterranean region, the artichoke is the edible flower bud of a thistle-like plant in the sunflower family. It is eaten as a vegetable.

Its botanical name, Cynara scolymus, derives from the Latin canina meaning canine and the Greek skolymos meaning thistle. Its English name comes from the Arabic al-khurshuf also meaning thistle, which became articiocco in Italian, and ultimately artichoke.

Although mankind has been eating artichokes for more than 3000 years, the fall of Rome plunged the artichoke into obscurity until its revival in Italy the mid-15th century.

Catherine de Médici, who was married to King Henry II of France at the tender young age of 14, is credited with bringing the artichoke from her native Italy to France, where its success was instant.

The artichoke quickly made its way to Britain and as a result, the term artichoke first appeared in written English records in the 15th century. It made its way to America via French and Italian explorers.

Now California produces 100 percent of the U.S. commercial artichoke crop, rivaled in popularity only in France and Italy.

More About Artichokes and Artichoke Recipes:

• Artichoke Selection and Storage
• Artichoke Cooking Tips
• Artichokes do not go with wine FAQ
• How to Eat an Artichoke
• Artichoke History
• Artichoke Legend and Lore
• Artichokes and Health
• Artichoke Recipes
_{Artichoke Photo © 2006 Peggy Trowbridge, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

Cookbooks

•	The California Artichoke Cookbook
•	Mollie Katzen's Vegetable Heaven
•	The Whole Foods Companion
•	The Garden-Fresh Vegetable Cookbook
•	More Cookbooks