Artichoke production in Italy

Artichoke production in Italy has a long history. Italy is the world's largest producer of artichokes.[1] With Spain and France, the three countries produce more than 80% of the world's artichokes.[2]

An artichoke field in Sardinia, Italy.

History

There are two theories as to its origin: artichokes may have come from the Levant, derived from the cardoon or thistle through a cross-fertilization process, while others attribute it to the work of Italian horticulturists.[3] The first record of artichoke cultivation in Italy was during the fifteenth century in Naples, where it was considered a new food species.[4]

In 1466, Filippo Strozzi brought the first artichoke to Florence. By 1473, it had arrived in Venice. In 1915, 64,000 tons were produced.[5] Italy produces dozens of varieties.[6]

References
  1. Boriss, Hayley (December 2005). "Commodity Profile: Artichokes". Agricultural Issues Center, University of California, Davis. p. 2. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  2. Ensminger, Audrey H.; Ensminger, Marion Eugene; Konlande, James E.; John R.K. Robson (21 April 1995). The Concise Encyclopedia of Foods & Nutrition. CRC Press. pp. 58–. ISBN 978-0-8493-4455-8. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  3. Capatti, Alberto; Montanari, Massimo; O'Healy, Áine (2003). Italian Cuisine: A Cultural History. Columbia University Press. pp. 41–. ISBN 978-0-231-12232-0. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  4. Farm (1841). The farm and the garden: an account of every vegetable production cultivated for the table, by the plough and the spade (Public domain ed.). pp. 36–. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  5. International Society for Horticultural Science. Working Group on Artichoke (2005). Proceedings of the IVth International Congress on Artichoke: Valenzano (Bari), Italy, October 17-21, 2000. International Society for Horticultural Science. pp. 40–. ISBN 978-90-6605-638-1. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  6. Joachim, David; Vetri, Marc (1 October 2008). II Viaggio Di Vetri: A Culinary Journey. Random House Digital, Inc. pp. 74–. ISBN 978-1-58008-888-6. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
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