1- About artichoke plantation, varieties, season:
Q: What are the favourable weather conditions for artichoke plantation?
A: High humidity, rain, temperature between 10 and 18 degreec C, alternating sunshine and rain during the harvest season.
Q: How the artichokes grow on the plant?
The same plant gives artichokes all over the season. At the same moment, on the same plant there are several artichokes with different ages and sizes.
Q: How many artichokes does the plant produce?
A: It depends on the variety, from 10 to 30 artichokes per plant per season
Q:How do we control the size of the artichoke?
A: By harvesting the artichoke when it reaches the desired size. The more you leave the artichoke on the plant, the more it grows and gains bigger size.
Q: Does the artichoke have a maximum size?
A: Yes, after a certain time on the plant, it does not grow any more. The maximum size of the artichoke depends on the variety.
Q: How the artichokes are planted?
A: By seeds or by bulbs (shoots). Tissue culture is another technique but not widely used.
Q: What are the main varieties of artichokes?
A: Varieties are identified by two ways:
By shape, round and conical
By color, green and violet
Q: What is the violet variety?
A: This is a variety which has violet color on the outer leaves of the artichoke
Q: What is the variety planted in Egypt for fresh market and for processing?
A: The violet variety is the only one planted in Egypt for both fresh and processing markets.
Q: How the violet artichoke is ranked among other varieties ?
A: This is the most precious variety. It is the most tender and tasty variety.
Q: What is the difference between an opened and close leaves artichoke?
As far as taste and freshness are concerned, there is no difference. For fresh market, open leaves artichokes just do not look nice.
Q:When the artichokes are planted in Egypt ?
July / August
Q: When the artichokes season starts?
A: November / December
Q: When the artichokes season finishes?
A: April / May
Q: what are the major countries growing artichokes other than Egypt ?
A: Italy , France , Spain , USA
2- About artichokes processing:
Q: When the processing season starts in Egypt ?
A: When the prices come down, this is generally in end January / beginning February
Q: Are all artichokes products produced at the same time of the season?
A: No, every artichoke product has a different production timing
Q: How do you clean the artichokes from their leaves?
A: Depending on the desired product, the artichokes are cleaned mechanically or by hand
Q: What is the difference between artichoke products in brine packed in barrels and those packed in cans?
A: Products in brine in barrels go only to the industry for re-processing. Those in cans are for direct consumer consumption.
Q: What is the citric acid used in the processing of artichokes?
A: This is a 100% natural substance similar to the lemon juice. As soon as the artichoke is cleaned, It is put into the water while processing in order to preserve the natural color of the artichoke product. If citric acid is not used, the artichoke having a high content of iron, truns to dark color.
Q: What is the shelf life of the frozen and in brine products?
A: If well stored, 2 years
3- About artichokes products
Q: What is the difference between artichoke heart and artichoke bottom?
A: Artichoke bottoms is the edible part in the bottom of the fruit. Artichoke heart is the artichoke bottoms with tender white leaves on top of it.
Q: What is the artichoke crown?
A: The artichoke bottom in the USA is called crown
Q: Can we get artichoke hearts from big sizes fruits?
A: Generally no, but it depends on their tenderness.
Q: What is the difference between small and big sizes artichoke bottoms?
A: Small bottoms are more tender and tastier, and more expensive
Q: What is the quarter artichoke heart?
A: It is the artichoke heart cut in even pieces
Q: What is the artichoke heart slices?
A: It is the artichoke heart cut parallel to the axis
Q: How do we eat different artichoke products?
A: Artichoke hearts are generally eaten as appetizers, bottoms are generally cooked.
Q: Can the price of processed artichokes be fixed for a whole year?
A: This depends on the product, when and what quantity is ordered, and what is the shipping schedule
Q: When the price of the new season can be quoted?
A: In end February / early March
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