Globe Artichokes
R & J Mazza Pty Ltd
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 used for its heart. It is
perfect for stuffing or steamed and eaten
dipped in a vinaigrette. Consumers will find
this variety is available for a longer period of
the year.
Purple Globe Spinosa
This majestic globe artichoke definitely has to be the
most magnificent and spectacular looking 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
superior to other varieties and is well worth any
cooking effort. This variety is best consumed baked,
steamed or boiled as their fleshy bracts are tasty and
it would be a waste to use only their 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 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 Varieties
We are constantly conducting trials with the
expectation to introduce other artichoke varieties
which look, taste and perform better than our
current varieties; those that will suit our fields and
local climate conditions. We recognise that varietal
characteristics such as colour, size, appearance,
flavours, timing of maturity, weather tolerance
and pest resistance are very important in our
trials. Our intention is to supply our consumers
with exciting new choices!
Green Globe Bella
This artichoke is another of our ‘new varieties’,
which we are also pleased to produce and sell
this season. This variety was included in our
trials last year which received excellent
feedback. This striking variety has a brighter
green colour with a longer shaped globe. It is a
very tender globe which minimises cooking
time, and has a great amount of edible flesh on
the bracts. Its stem is also very tender and
tasty and should be included in any dish. The
bracts are longer than other varieties and not
as compact, but are extremely flavoursome and
very sweet. It cooks well either steamed or
baked whole, but the heart can be also used for
other dishes.
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 little or no choke to remove.
