Varieties For many years we have grown and harvested a traditional purple variety of globe artichoke, which was propagated annually. However, today there are many alternative varieties available commercially, which are not only superior in quality and flavour but are available for a longer period of the year. However, due to much research and trial, we have chosen to grow only a few of these new globe artichoke varieties. This selection has proven to be our favourites and thrive in the Werribee South district climate. Below is a description of globe artichokes which we grow and harvest and which are proven to be our best sellers. Please note that they are not the variety names, but only our code which we use to distinguish and market our crops.

Green Globe G20 This attractive globe artichoke is our most popular variety. It is deep purple at the base, gradually fading to a green at the tip. This globe is round with tight, involucral, curved encasing bracts. It has thick edible flesh at the lower bracts, is very tender and ideal for steaming, baking or basically selected for its heart. It is delicious stuffed, steamed or eaten dipped in a vinaigrette. Consumers will find this variety is available for a longer period of the year.

Purple Globe Spinosa This majestic-looking globe artichoke definitely has to be the most magnificent and spectacular variety. It is a deep royal purple in colour and more refined in taste than its green relatives. The striking bracts have a small soft thorn at their tips which softens in the cooking process. Although it has slightly less edible flesh at the bract’s base, the flavour is far superior to other varieties and is well worth any cooking effort. This variety is best consumed baked, steamed or boiled as its fleshy bracts are very tasty. Hence, it would be a waste to use only its heart, which is smaller in size than the other varieties.

Green Globe Pina This artichoke is one of our ‘new selections’, which we are excited to grow, harvest and introduce to our customers. This impressive variety is becoming increasingly popular with our consumers and agents. It has a paler green roundish globe which is very tender, making almost the entire globe edible. Its bracts are flattish but compact and have thick, highly flavoursome edible flesh at their base. It has a thick, dense, meaty stem which is also edible and is packed with vitamins. This is an ideal artichoke to cook whole, making it ideal for steaming or baking. It can either be stuffed or dipped in vinaigrette, otherwise used only for its tender ‘sweetheart’!

New Trials & Varieties We are constantly conducting trials with the expectation to introduce other artichoke varieties which look, taste and perform better than our current varieties. We need to select those that will suit our fields and local climate conditions. We recognise that the following varietal characteristics are very important in our trials: • colour • size • appearance • flavours • timing of maturity, • weather tolerance • and pest resistance. Our intention is to supply our consumers with different varieties and tasty new choices!

Globe Picklers Picklers are our ‘baby’ artichokes which are picked before they grow to full size. These are ideal for consumers who require the heart and surrounding tender bracts for their recipes or for preserving. As these are baby artichokes, there should be very little choke to remove.