What is a Globe Artichoke? The botanical name for the globe artichoke is Cynara Scolymus belonging to the Asteraceae family. The globe artichoke can be a perennial or annual and belongs to the thistle family. The beautiful silvery grey fern-like plants produce various combinations of green and purple coloured artichokes. The edible vegetable is actually the plant's flower bud. If allowed to flower, the large blossoms measure up to around seven inches in diameter and are an attractive violet purple colour. Florists have long recognised that these flowers make attractive floral displays. The buds consist of many involucral bracts and once cooked, the lower fleshy parts of the bracts are edible. Closer to the centre the leaves are more tender and have a greater portion of edible flesh. The centre has a hairy ‘choke’, which will be tough and inedible if the artichoke is too mature, but in their peak in the winter months, there may be very little choke. This hairy choke sits on top of a tasty, tender heart. Globe artichoke stems can be peeled and cooked together with the rest of the globe artichoke. The globe artichoke has a unique, slightly sweet flavour due to a plant chemical called cynarin. Cynarin has the ability to reduce cholesterol. It also inhibits the taste receptors; making water and food consumed after the globe artichoke seem sweet and more desirable. Artichokes have been known for their medicinal and health benefits since the ancient times. They are low in calories, and provide a rich source of dietary fibre. Globe Artichokes are rich in vitamins and are an excellent source of cholesterol reduction. They also contain good amounts of antioxidants which protect the body from harmful free-radical agents.