Artichokes belong to Liliaceae and look like lotus flowers, so some people call them lotus flowers. Although it is called artichoke, it is not directly related to North Korea. Its origin is in the Mediterranean coast, and its plant height ranges from 1 to 1.5 meters. The leaves are broad and coarsely serrated, and there are multiple sepals outside the bud. You can see the receptacle inside by pulling out the sepals outside. The fat buds of artichokes are edible, and the bract base and fleshy receptacle are thick and tender, with chestnut-like fragrance, which can be eaten fresh, or made into sauce, soup or canned food. The softened stems and leaves can be cooked and eaten, and the taste is fresh. Artichoke is rich in nutrition, and the vitamins and minerals contained in vegetables are of high nutritional value. Every 100g edible part contains protein 2.8g, sugar 9.9g, vitamin A 150mg, vitamin C c8 mg, calcium 5 1 mg and phosphorus 69 mg. In addition, it also contains medicinal components such as artichoke, asparagine and flavonoids, which has a good effect on treating chronic hepatitis and lowering cholesterol, and can also be used to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases.

Artichokes can be eaten in many ways. Europeans and Americans usually cook the whole flower bud of artichoke for about 20 minutes. After the receptacle becomes soft, peel off the outer 4-5 bracts and eat them with different seasonings according to your preference. Some also cut the outer layer of the receptacle clean and slice it, dip it in the batter made of flour, eggs and milk, and eat it after frying it golden; Some also wash and slice the receptacle and eat it directly as the chassis of meat; It can also be stored in a vinegar jar as a cold dish of western food.

Artichokes are hardy and easy to live. The optimum temperature for seed germination is 20℃, and the optimum temperature for plant growth is 13 ~ 17℃. Sowing in September in warm areas in the south, feeding in winter and spring in the Yangtze River valley and the north, transplanting in fields in April-May, and harvesting in the spring of the following year.

Because artichokes are delicious and have high nutritional value, they were selected as vegetables for the 2008 Olympic Games. I believe that with the approach of 2008, these high-grade rare vegetables imported from abroad will be more and more loved by people.